St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School

St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School has maintained its good overall judgement following an ungraded inspection. Inspectors highlighted that the school is highly ambitious for its pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and that students typically achieve exceptionally well across the curriculum. The positive school environment fosters strong relationships between pupils and adults, contributing to a nurturing atmosphere where children are eager to attend school and engage in their studies. The next inspection is anticipated to be a graded one, potentially reflecting an outstanding standard based on current evidence.

Strengths

• Pupils thrive in a warm and nurturing environment.
• High ambition for all pupils, including those with SEND.
• Impeccable behavior and a strong sense of respect and kindness among pupils.
• Effective teaching that ensures pupils gain the knowledge necessary for confident learning.
• Strong emphasis on reading, with diverse and engaging resources available.
• High motivation among pupils to learn and succeed.
• Wide range of after-school clubs and activities promoting broader development.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School attended 96.2% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 2.7% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School had 20.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 0.0% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 9.8% of pupils at St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 2.3% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School received £8,152 and spent £8,385 for each of its 119 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £20,000 (-£167 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Whitehaven · Cumberland local authority: places and applications

What is St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School last inspected by Ofsted?

St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School have?

St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School has 133 pupils on roll.

What age range does St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School cover?

St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School for pupils aged 3 to 7.

Where is St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School?

St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School is at High Street, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7PZ.