St James Church School
Cranmer Road, Taunton, TA1 1XUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St James Church School is a primary school in Taunton for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 301 schools in Somerset. It ranks 27th of 35 primary schools in Taunton. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 26 November 2024, report published 13 January 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 26 November 2024
Pupils are proud to attend this inclusive and welcoming school. Staff have high expectations for all pupils. Pupils respond to these expectations; they behave well and are keen to learn. As a result, pupils learn the improved curriculum well. The school is calm and pupils are safe. Pupils know there are adults they can talk to if they are worried. Warm and caring relationships between staff and pupils help build a sense of community. Pupils at St James are proud to say that they care for one another. Pupils are respectful to visitors. They talk articulately about their roles of responsibility. For example, pupils who act as well-being leaders support younger pupils in the playground. The school is committed to providing pupils with enrichment opportunities to help them gain new experiences. For example, pupils visit the theatre to see live performances. Pupils learn to stay safe online as well in the wider community. External visitors to the school, such as the police, help pupils to learn important messages from different trusted adults. The school works closely with its community and provides opportunities for parents to participate in cookery workshops held in school.
What the school should improve
- Some staff are still developing their expertise in delivering the phonics programme. This means that some pupils do not learn to read as quickly as they could. The trust should ensure that all staff are supported to deliver the phonics programme successfully, so that all pupils gain a secure body of phonics knowledge in readiness for their next stages in learning.
- In some subjects, the curriculum has been reviewed and is still developing. The previous curriculum has left some pupils with gaps in their knowledge and understanding. The trust should develop and embed the curriculum so that pupils achieve well in all subjects.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
62 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
479 pupils on roll, with places for 420
Schools near St James Church School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 52% met the expected standard |
| St George's Catholic School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| North Town Academy | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 58% met the expected standard |
| St Andrew's Church School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 47% met the expected standard |
| Minerva Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 67% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THE BATH AND WELLS DIOCESAN ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Nigel Johnson
- Phone
- 01823272553
- Address
- Cranmer Road, Taunton, TA1 1XU
- Local authority
- Somerset
- URN
- 139324
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.