SchoolScoresSt James' CofE Junior School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Wellington Row, Whitehaven, CA28 7HG
01946 695311 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 2 June 2026 , published 5 July 2026.
In short: 1 strong, 5 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
39 pupils in this year group.
74% — 18 points above the Cumberland average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 74% | 56% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 13% | 5% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 82% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 82% | 68% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 85% | 69% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 103 | 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 Cumberland. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
This is a Church of England school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 14 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.5% | 22.8%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 8th highest of 14 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Higher than 75% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.5% | 4.3%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 14 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Higher than 35% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.3% | 13.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 10th highest of 14 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.2% | 6.5%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 14 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Lower than 98% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 4.8%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 14 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Lower than 93% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.4% | 10.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 11th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Lower than 25% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.2 | 1.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 10th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Lower than 51% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.6% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 14 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Higher than 70% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.3 | 19.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 14 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Higher than 51% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.8 | 9.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 13 state primary schools in Whitehaven. Higher than 47% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 11.4% | 13.4%* | 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
- St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed, may be improving 2024
- Bransty Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 44% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Begh's Catholic Junior School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- Jericho Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 89% met expected standard (KS2)
- Monkwray Junior School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Infant School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Hensingham Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Kells Infant School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
- St Bridget's CofE School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 36% met expected standard (KS2)
- Moresby Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St James' CofE Junior School's Ofsted rating?
St James' CofE Junior School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 2 June 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 1 strong, 5 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did St James' CofE Junior School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 74% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 12 points above the England average of 62%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 112298.
- 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.