St James CofE Aided Primary School, Godalming
St James CofE Aided Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 2 to 11 in Godalming. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2024. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 7th-highest of the 8 schools in Godalming with published results, and 9,159th of 14,452 across England. It was 89% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2024)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Surrey (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
St James CofE Aided Primary School in detail
Results
In 2025, 88% of Year 6 pupils at St James CofE Aided Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 58% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 81% and 79% in Surrey and 77% and 75% across England.
Results were similar in 2024 (81% in reading, 70% in maths).
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at St James CofE Aided Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 25 families put St James CofE Aided Primary School as their first choice and 47 named it as one of their preferences, for 27 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at St James CofE Aided Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St James CofE Aided Primary School are Waverley Abbey CofE Junior School (1.9 miles, Good, 83% reading, 72% maths); All Saints CofE Aided Infant School (1.9 miles, Good); Milford School (2.8 miles, Good); and The Chandler CofE Aided Junior School (3.2 miles, Good, 76% reading, 81% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than St James CofE Aided Primary School.
Waverley Abbey CofE Junior SchoolAll Saints CofE Aided Infant SchoolMilford SchoolThe Chandler CofE Aided Junior School
Who goes there
9.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (80%) and Mixed (7%).
In 2026, 20 pupils (8.7%) received SEN support and 6 (2.6%) 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.
Staffing
St James CofE Aided Primary School had 14 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Milford (Surrey) Rail Station, about 3.3 miles away in a straight line.
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Post Office (opposite), 150 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St James CofE Aided Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 8 crimes within a mile of the school, most often shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Surrey (76).
Suspensions and exclusions
St James CofE Aided Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
This is a happy and joyful school. Pupils describe it as having 'a family feel' because they are well cared for and valued. Pupils rise to the high expectations staff have for both their behaviour and learning. Their behaviour is exceptionally positive. Pupils have very good attitudes to their learning and trust teachers to help them learn and achieve.
From the very start, children in Nursery are taught to value and respect each other. Pupils help each other wherever they can. For example, Year 6 buddies support younger pupils, and this often results in caring friendships. Sports leaders play an important role in ensuring everyone can access and use the fun equipment at break and lunchtime.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
The school is highly ambitious for all pupils. Everyone is dedicated to giving pupils a wide-ranging education. This contributes to the school's exciting atmosphere. Pupils have a deep understanding of the school's values of 'safe, respectful, responsible and ready'. They know how shared values help to build a positive community. Pupils frequently use the school values to consider their own behaviour and conduct.
Much of the school's curriculum is carefully considered to meet pupils' differing needs. For example, in computing and mathematics, the knowledge that pupils should learn is clearly sequenced. In these subjects, regular training helps teachers maintain their strong subject knowledge. Pupils' knowledge is frequently checked and targeted activities help pupils apply their prior learning to new ideas. As a result, pupils' knowledge builds steadily over time. Where pupils need extra help, personalised plans are used effectively. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who are supported effectively. The school precisely identifies their needs and makes sure that teaching helps these pupils also achieve well.
From Ofsted's June 2024 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its June 2024 inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
17.9%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 81% to 88% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 70% to 58% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 70% to 85% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
27.1
Avg class size
28.3
Infant (KS1)
28.0
KS2
8
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with St James CofE Aided Primary School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near St James CofE Aided Primary School.
- St James C of E Primary School Before and After School ClubAt the school · Not yet graded
Term dates
St James CofE Aided Primary School is a voluntary aided school, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see Surrey's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to St James CofE Aided Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. St James CofE Aided Primary School is in Surrey; for families living there:
- Surrey's school travel policy: Travel Assistance Policy for under 16s
- How to apply: Apply online for under 16 travel help
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 1
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 0 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Surrey is 13 (the median across 521 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at St James CofE Aided Primary School
Will you get a place at St James CofE Aided Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against St James CofE Aided Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for St James CofE Aided Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to St James CofE Aided Primary School.
- Surrey publishes last distance offered figures, but none for St James CofE Aided Primary School that we hold, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at St James CofE Aided Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Surrey got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
89%
Available places
186 pupils
210 places
24 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Godalming
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Godalming
Across Surrey council
Places available
13,004
Applications
11,426
Got 1st preference
89.8%
Got preferred school
98.7%
All primary applications across Surrey council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
20
SEN Support
6
EHC Plans
11.4%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
229
Total Pupils
121
Boys
108
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
14
Teachers
16.4:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£48,916
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,352
Per pupil
£1084k
Total funding
£29k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.7%
Overall absence
11.2%
Persistent absence
161
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about St James CofE Aided Primary School
What are SATs results like at St James CofE Aided Primary School?
Of the pupils at St James CofE Aided Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 88% reached the expected standard in reading and 58% did so in maths.
What is St James CofE Aided Primary School's Ofsted rating?
St James CofE Aided Primary School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2024.
What is the catchment area for St James CofE Aided Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When St James CofE Aided Primary School is oversubscribed, Surrey allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at St James CofE Aided Primary School?
St James CofE Aided Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 89% of its 210 places.
How big are the classes at St James CofE Aided Primary School?
Classes at St James CofE Aided Primary School average 27.1 pupils (2025/26). 2 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to St James CofE Aided Primary School?
St James CofE Aided Primary School has around 229 pupils on roll. 18% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at St James CofE Aided Primary School?
4.7% of sessions were missed at St James CofE Aided Primary School in 2024/25. 11.2% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St James CofE Aided Primary School?
Apply through Surrey's coordinated admissions process, naming St James CofE Aided Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does St James CofE Aided Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: St James C of E Primary School Before and After School Club (registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near St James CofE Aided Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 0 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Surrey is 13 (the median across 521 schools, same distance and years).
Where is St James CofE Aided Primary School?
St James CofE Aided Primary School is at Thursley Road, Elstead, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 6DH.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)