St James Church of England Controlled Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Bellevue Lane, Emsworth, PO10 7PXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St James Church of England Controlled Primary School is a primary school in Emsworth for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 600 schools in Hampshire. It ranks 115th of 300 primary schools in Hampshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2017.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 21 March 2017, report published 2 May 2017

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 May 2023

Pupils arrive to school gleefully. They are very keen to start their school day. This is a harmonious place, where pupils are kind and considerate to one another. There are warm, respectful, and inclusive attitudes between everyone. Leaders and staff promote the values of the school consistently: 'Loving learning, loving life and loving God's word'. Behaviour is exemplary. All staff consistently apply the school rules and follow the 'relentless routines'. This helps pupils feel safe. Pupils know that the adults care about them. They know who to talk to if they have any worries or concerns. Pupils know that adults will help them sort out any difficulties they may have. Incidents of bullying are very rare, and staff deal with them quickly. Leaders and teachers have high expectations for all pupils. This includes disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teachers plan lessons that encourage pupils to contribute their own ideas, and to be independent. Pupils say that learning is fun. They work effortfully and are proud of their accomplishments. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. One parent, typical of many, said, 'this school is a gem.'

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, staff give tasks that do not precisely focus on the most important knowledge that they want pupils to learn. This makes it harder for pupils to learn key knowledge over time. Leaders should ensure that staff know how to emphasise the essential knowledge and skills they intend pupils to learn and remember.
  • Teachers do not use assessment as well in the foundation subjects as they do in core subjects. It does not help them to adjust activities to match what pupils know and what they need to know next. Leaders should ensure that assessment is used consistently well, across all subjects, to identify gaps in pupils' learning and to inform teaching.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

32 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths69%

69%, 7 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths13%

13%, 5 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score105

105, 1 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

224 pupils on roll, with places for 226

Eligible for free school meals10.3%

10.3%, 16.2 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language8%

8%, 13.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support10.7%

10.7%, 4.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan7.1%

7.1%, 1.1 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near St James Church of England Controlled Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Emsworth Primary School0.5 milesOfsted: Good63% met the expected standard
Westbourne Primary School0.9 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to good50% met the expected standard
St Alban's Church of England Aided Primary School2 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard58% met the expected standard
Sharps Copse Primary and Nursery School2 milesOfsted: Good58% met the expected standard
Southbourne Infant School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Voluntary controlled school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Church of England
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mr Peter Edgington
Address
Bellevue Lane, Emsworth, PO10 7PX
Local authority
Hampshire
URN
116286

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.