St James School
About St James School
St James School sits within Devon’s secondary landscape, one of 43 state schools of its type in the local authority. It is not among the county’s top-ranked peers — those positions are held by Colyton Grammar School, Chulmleigh Community College, and The Ilfracombe Church of England Academy — but it occupies a solid middle ground as a Good-rated, non-selective 11-16 mixed school in Exeter. Headteacher Emily Harper leads a school of 989 pupils, making it a reasonably large secondary for the area. The school has no religious character, which may appeal to families seeking a secular environment. While Devon has only two Outstanding-rated secondaries, St James holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection, a grade that places it in the majority of the county’s schools. Its position in Exeter gives it a distinctly urban feel compared with many of Devon’s more rural secondaries, and its size suggests a broad curriculum offer is likely.
Key Details
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Was this page helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions About St James School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
School Open Days Calendar 2026/27
When open days happen and what to look for