SchoolScoresSt James Catholic Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of LUMEN CHRISTI CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY COMPANY
Leach Heath Lane, Rednal, Birmingham, B45 9BN
0121 464 9700 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 26 September 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.
What parents say
61 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Birmingham comparisons use the 162 of its 301 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 139 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 30th highest of 162 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 70% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 91% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 162 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 80% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 1st highest of 162 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 86% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 11 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 101 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 99% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 52% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 39 parents who had raised a concern 8th highest of 145 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 93% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 77% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 162 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Birmingham. Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100%said yes | 85% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Birmingham figures pool parents at the Birmingham schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
30 pupils in this year group.
93% — 30 points above the Birmingham average, and 31 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 93% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 17% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 100% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 93% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 100% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 111 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 114 | 105 | 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 Birmingham. 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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 29 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 44 |
| Of those, offered a place | 29 (66%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 129 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.5
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 Roman Catholic 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 | Birmingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 275th highest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 49% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.9% | 48.0%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 195th highest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 16% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 2.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 301st highest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 4% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 6.2% | 16.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 290th highest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.3% | 43.5%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 19th lowest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 80% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.0% | 6.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 12th lowest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 82% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.6% | 16.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 153rd lowest of 300 state primary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 37% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.9 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 150th lowest of 300 state primary schools in Birmingham. Lower than 41% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.0% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 40th highest of 300 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 83% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.6 | 20.4 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 93rd highest of 301 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 81% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.8 | 11.8 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 262nd highest of 300 state primary schools in Birmingham. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 15.0%* | 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
- Rednal Hill Junior School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 49% met expected standard (KS2)
- Rednal Hill Infant School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023
- Beaconside Primary and Nursery School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 strong · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Colmers Farm Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Reaside Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holywell Primary and Nursery School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2021, before conversion) · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holly Hill Methodist CofE Infant School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023
- St Columba's Catholic Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Forestdale Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 15% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lickey Hills Primary School and Nursery 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St James Catholic Primary School's Ofsted rating?
St James Catholic Primary School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 September 2023.
How did St James Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 93% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 31 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St James Catholic Primary School?
100% of the 61 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend St James Catholic Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St James Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 44 families put St James Catholic Primary School as their first choice for 29 places: about 1.5 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 141820.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- 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.