SchoolScoresChorley St James' CofE Primary School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Devonport Way, Chorley, PR6 0TE
01257 264638 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 13 June 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
31 pupils in this year group.
58% — 2 points below the Lancashire average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 58% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 6% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 68% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 65% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 74% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Lancashire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 29 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 35 |
| Of those, offered a place | 29 (83%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 92 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.2
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 12th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chorley. Higher than 43% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.8% | 25.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chorley. Higher than 87% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.9% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 13th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chorley. Higher than 41% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.1% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 8th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chorley. Higher than 52% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.5% | 16.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 15th lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chorley. Lower than 90% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.6% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 23rd lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chorley. Lower than 71% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.4% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chorley. Lower than 55% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.8 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 21st lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chorley. Lower than 45% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.8% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 13th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chorley. Higher than 73% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.6 | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 27th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chorley. Higher than 35% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.9 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 17th highest of 35 state primary schools in Chorley. Higher than 37% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 9.3% | 12.9%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Highfield Community Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019, before conversion) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Chorley 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Peter's CofE Primary School Chorley 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Chorley 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- Duke Street Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chorley, the Parish of St Laurence CofE Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- St George's CofE Primary School, Chorley 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 87% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Chorley 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gillibrand Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chorley All Saints CofE Primary School and Nursery Unit 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Chorley St James' CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Chorley St James' CofE Primary School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 June 2023.
How did Chorley St James' CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 58% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 4 points below the England average of 62%.
Is Chorley St James' CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 35 families put Chorley St James' CofE Primary School as their first choice for 29 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 29 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 119467.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.