St James' CofE Academy

Primary
Academy
Ages 5 to 11

Ofsted: Good

Main Road, Biddenham, Bedford, MK40 4BDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St James' CofE Academy is a primary school in Bedford for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 84 schools in Bedford. It ranks 15th of 52 primary schools in Bedford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2012.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 21 March 2012, report published 24 April 2012

Overall effectiveness: Good
Leadership and management: Good

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

28 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths54%

54%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths11%

11%, 3 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score105

105, 1 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

194 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals18%

18%, 8.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language10.8%

10.8%, 10.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support10.8%

10.8%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.5%

1.5%, 4.5 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near St James' CofE Academy

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Great Denham Primary School	0.5 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	72% met the expected standard
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary and Pre-School	0.6 miles	Ofsted: Good	44% met the expected standard
Westfield Primary School	0.7 miles	Ofsted: Good	48% met the expected standard
Queen's Park Academy	0.8 miles	Ofsted: Good	61% met the expected standard
Great Ouse Primary Academy	0.8 miles	Report card: Expected standard to strong standard	67% met the expected standard

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST
Age range: 5 to 11
Gender: Mixed
Religious character: Church of England
Nursery classes: No
Headteacher: Mrs Alison Barden
Phone: 01234352721
Website: stjamesprimary.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Main Road, Biddenham, Bedford, MK40 4BD
Local authority: Bedford
URN: 148982

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.