St James the Great Church of England Primary School
109%
Capacity
456
Pupils
2.4x
Demand
About St James the Great Church of England Primary School
St James the Great Church of England Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Colchester community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 456 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (109% of 420 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St James the Great Church of England Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Lucy Turner, it falls under Essex local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 40% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 12480th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 46th out of 51 in Colchester.
St James the Great Church of England Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 84 applications for 35 places, making it 2.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 28 were first-preference applications.
St James the Great Church of England Primary School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is mixed, with 57% recommending the school (28 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James the Great Church of England Primary School include ICT Suite, Playing Fields, Sensory Room, Art Studios, Dining Hall, Outdoor Playground, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Swimming, Tennis, Cross Country and 3 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Choir, Gardening, Book Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 23.6%, which is close to the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Colchester, St James the Great Church of England Primary School is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Guildford Road, Colchester, Colchester, CO1 2RA |
| Headteacher | Lucy Turner |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Number of Pupils | 456 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 23.6% |
| School Capacity | 456 / 420 (109% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Jan 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (15 Jan 2025): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 9 Oct 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (40%)
12480th of 13,686
Nationally
1418th of 1,612
In East of England
46th of 51
In Colchester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
40%
Expected Standard
2%
Higher Standard
'22/23
53%
'23/24
40%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
28 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed35
84
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
28 families put this school as their 1st choice (33% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James the Great Church of England Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Guildford Road, Colchester
Colchester, CO1 2RA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at St James the Great Church of England Primary School!
Write a Review