St James CofE Primary School, Oldbury

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades St James CofE Primary School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have created a highly inclusive school culture."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Personal development is a strength of the school."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Despite low starting points, pupils at the school achieve broadly in line with national averages in mathematics and writing."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils' attendance is broadly in line with what is typical nationally."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a broad and balanced curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders are ambitious for pupils in the early years."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leadership at all levels is effective and inclusive."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that precise adaptations consistently stretch higher attaining pupils"; "Leaders should continue their work to remove barriers to attendance and secure sustained improvements in persistent absence"; "Leaders should ensure that provision is of a consistently high quality across all areas of the early years learning environment".

In its own words: "At St James, we recognise the multicultural, multi-faith nature of the United Kingdom and understand the crucial role our schools play in promoting these values. As a school that serves a diverse community, we take our responsibility to promote community cohesion, generate a respect for difference and individual rights seriously."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, basketball, dance, drama, cooking and forest school.

The school runs a breakfast club, from £4.00 per day.

In 2025, 64% of Year 6 pupils at St James CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 72% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 75% in Sandwell and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 77% in reading and 70% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 62 families put St James CofE Primary School as their first choice and 93 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 4 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St James CofE Primary School are Rowley Hall Primary School (0.4 miles); Langley Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 84% reading, 93% maths); Grace Mary Primary School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, 83% reading, 90% maths); and Rounds Green Primary School (0.8 miles, 65% reading, 65% maths).

St James CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.

45.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 29.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (39%), Asian (19%) and Black (17%).

St James CofE Primary School had 17 teachers in 2026, one for every 24 pupils: fewer teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Rowley Regis Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Wolverley Crescent (adjacent), 60 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St James CofE Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, St James CofE Primary School issued 17 suspensions, 3.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St James CofE Primary School are St Michael's Church of England High School (0.9 miles) and Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy (1.3 miles).