St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School
107%
Capacity
448
Pupils
2.9x
Demand
About St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School
St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Croydon community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 448 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (107% of 420 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
the school is led by headteacher Christopher Andrew, it falls under Croydon local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 74% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 2962nd out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 26th out of 77 in Croydon.
St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School is a popular choice with families — it received 173 applications for 60 places, making it 2.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 71 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication, Hearing Impairment and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School include Sports Hall, Gymnasium, ICT Suite, Dining Hall, Forest School, Outdoor Playground, Playing Fields, Music Rooms, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Gymnastics, Athletics, Tennis, as well as clubs including Drama, Choir, Chess.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 17.5%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Croydon, St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School is one of the options available in the London 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 | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | St. James the Great School, Thornton Heath, Croydon, CR7 8HJ |
| Headteacher | Christopher Andrew |
| Local Authority | Croydon |
| Number of Pupils | 448 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 17.5% |
| School Capacity | 448 / 420 (107% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
1 Nov 2023Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 5 Dec 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (74%)
2962nd of 13,686
Nationally
618th of 1,592
In London
26th of 77
In Croydon
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
74%
Expected Standard
17%
Higher Standard
'22/23
50%
'23/24
74%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
7Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed60
173
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
71 families put this school as their 1st choice (41% 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 RC Primary and Nursery 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
St. James the Great School, Thornton Heath
Croydon, CR7 8HJ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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