St James Church of England Primary School, London

Ofsted's report card from its 30 June 2026 inspection grades St James Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils achieve very well across subjects and over time."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils show high levels of attendance across all year groups."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Pupils learn a broad and carefully sequenced curriculum."

Early years - Strong standard. "Staff are highly knowledgeable about early childhood development."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders ensure that pupils' best interests are at the centre of their work."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils learn a personal development and wellbeing programme that is tailored to their context and needs."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders place inclusion at the centre of the school's work."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should further strengthen their approach to inclusion, applying the same rigour of analysis and quality assurance that they use across all other aspects of their work".

In its own words: "Our school is an inclusive and diverse, one form entry primary set in the heart of Muswell Hill, next to beautiful Highgate Woods. We have a friendly, warm and nurturing culture we are proud of and we make sure that every single member of staff knows every child by name."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, gymnastics, dance, drama, chess, Lego, STEM, art, sewing and photography.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 10 November 2026 and an open day on Tuesday 8 December 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 90% of Year 6 pupils at St James Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 90% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 82% and 82% in Haringey and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 84% in reading and 88% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 20 families put St James Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 119 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to St James Church of England Primary School are Tetherdown Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 92% reading, 85% maths); Muswell Hill Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 93% reading, 88% maths); Our Lady of Muswell Catholic Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 95% reading, 96% maths); and Highgate Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 85% reading, 87% maths).

St James Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

9.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 30.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (29%), Mixed (21%) and Black (14%).

The nearest tram or metro stop is Highgate, about 970 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cranley Gardens (->n), 140 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 318 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Haringey (982).

In 2024/25, St James Church of England Primary School issued 1 suspension, 0.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St James Church of England Primary School are Fortismere School (0.5 miles), Highgate Wood Secondary School (0.8 miles) and The Archer Academy (1 mile).