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St James' CofE Academy
Primary · Mixed · Ages 5–11 · Academy
Main Road, Biddenham, Bedford MK40 4BD · stjamesprimary.org.uk · 01234 352721
On the mapSearch near MK40 4BD
Overview
- Ofsted
- Standards maintained
- Ungraded inspection · Feb 2025
- Key stage 2, 2024/25
- 54%
- reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. Bedford 57%, England 62%
- Demand for places
- 0.9
- first choices for each place · Reception, September 2026
- Pupils
- 194
- 92% of 210 places
- Local authority
- Bedford
- Free school meals
- 18%
- First language not English
- 10.8%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Reception in September 2026, 28 families put the school first and 30 places were offered; 96% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
First choices against places
| Reception | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 30 | 28 | 0.9 | 96% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 30 | 24 | 0.8 | 100% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 30 | 32 | 1.1▲ | 91% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 29 | 23 | 0.8 | 100% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 30 | 24 | 0.8 | 100% |
Results
In 2024/25, 54% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 2, and 11% the higher standard. Across Bedford it was 57%, and across England 62%.
Expected standard reading, writing and maths
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing and maths | |||
| ▼54% | 62% | ||
| ▲11% | 8% | ||
| Average scaled score | |||
| ●105 | 106 | ||
| ●103 | 105 | ||
| ●104 | 105 | ||
Some years are for the predecessor school (URN 109614)
Ofsted
At an ungraded inspection on 5 February 2025, Ofsted’s outcome for St James' CofE Academy was: Standards maintained.
- Outcome
- Standards maintained
- Inspected
- 4 Feb 2025
- Ungraded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Previously: Good, graded inspection, Mar 2012
Earlier inspections
Including inspections of the predecessor school (URN 109614), which Ofsted links to this one.
Before September 2019
Mar 2012Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good Inspection of the predecessor school (URN 109614)
Sept 2008Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good Early years Good Inspection of the predecessor school (URN 109614)
What parents said
92% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (71 replies, to 1 September 2025).
- Recommend
- 92%
- Replies
- 71
- 37% · 1 Sept 2025
based on the 75% who raised concerns
based on the 25% who had a child bullied
based on 14 parents (20%) with SEND