The Academy At St. James
75%
Capacity
337
Pupils
2.0x
Demand
About The Academy At St. James
The Academy At St. James is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Bradford community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 337 pupils on roll, operating at 75% capacity. Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated The Academy At St. James "Good", the school is led by headteacher Ruth Thompson, it falls under Bradford local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 38% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 12700th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 144th out of 153 in Bradford.
The Academy At St. James is a popular choice with families — it received 59 applications for 29 places, making it 2.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 40 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at The Academy At St. James include Outdoor Playground, Gymnasium, Sports Hall, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rounders, Football, Cricket, Swimming and 1 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Drama, Film Club, Art Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 45.1%, which is well above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Bradford, The Academy At St. James is one of the options available in the Yorkshire and the Humber 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 | Chelwood Drive, Bradford, Bradford, BD15 7YD |
| Headteacher | Ruth Thompson |
| Local Authority | Bradford |
| Number of Pupils | 337 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 45.1% |
| School Capacity | 337 / 448 (75% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
4 May 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 22 Jun 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (38%)
12700th of 13,686
Nationally
1403rd of 1,506
In Yorkshire and the Humber
144th of 153
In Bradford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
38%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
45%
'23/24
38%
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
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed29
59
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
40 families put this school as their 1st choice (68% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Academy At St. James
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
Chelwood Drive, Bradford
Bradford, BD15 7YD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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