SchoolScoresSt James' CofE Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of DIOCESE OF CHICHESTER ACADEMY TRUST
Pokesdown Hill, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH7 6DW
01202 426696 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 14 March 2013. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 25 January 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
59 pupils in this year group.
68% — 5 points above the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 68% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 17% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 81% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 81% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 80% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 46 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 32 |
| Of those, offered a place | 32 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 191 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.7
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.
Admissions dates and schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 22nd highest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Higher than 33% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.1% | 20.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Higher than 86% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.7% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Higher than 77% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 19.1% | 13.5%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Higher than 78% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 29.7% | 19.5%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 15th lowest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Lower than 55% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.8% | 4.9%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 13th lowest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Lower than 59% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.3% | 10.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Lower than 29% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.7 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 16th lowest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Lower than 33% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 13th highest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Higher than 64% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 21.8 | 21.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 23rd highest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Higher than 32% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.7 | 11.1 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 27th highest of 29 state primary schools in Bournemouth. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 13.6%* | 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
- Pokesdown Community Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Avonwood Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stourfield Infant School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Stourfield Junior School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- King's Park Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Park School 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Clement's and St John's CofE Infant School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023
- Bethany CofE Junior School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 35% met expected standard (KS2)
- Jewell Academy Bournemouth 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St James' CofE Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
St James' CofE Primary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 March 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 25 January 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St James' CofE Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 68% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 6 points above the England average of 62%.
Is St James' CofE Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 32 families put St James' CofE Primary Academy as their first choice for 46 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 32 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 140760.
- 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.