St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Tunbridge Wells

In its own words: "Download the latest newsletter here . Dated: 4th September 2026 Please click here for previous newsletters ."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to St James’ Church of England (Aided) Primary School. Our primary school opened in September 2019, formed from the merger of the infant and junior schools. I have been the Junior School headteacher since April 2012, and head of both schools since September 2017. St James’ Primary School puts the child at the centre of their learning."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, running, dance and Lego.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care until 6:15pm.

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 10 November 2026, an open day on Friday 20 November 2026, an open day on Friday 27 November 2026 and an open day on Monday 30 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 88% of Year 6 pupils at St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 84% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (90% in reading, 82% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 95 families put St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School as their first choice and 245 named it as one of their preferences, for 88 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 13 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School are St Peter's Church of England Primary School (0.3 miles, Outstanding, 93% reading, 73% maths); St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 73% maths); Claremont Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 97% reading, 94% maths); and The Wells Free School (0.6 miles, Good, 74% reading, 84% maths).

St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

10.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 37.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (60%), Mixed (10%) and Asian (8%).

In 2026, 69 pupils (11%) received SEN support and 9 (1.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Tunbridge Wells Rail Station, about 930 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ferndale (sw-bound), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 257 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School issued 2 suspensions, 0.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School are The Skinners' School (0.8 miles), Skinners' Kent Academy (0.9 miles), Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School (1 mile) and Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (1.3 miles).