St James' Church of England Aided Infant School

St James’ Church of England Aided Infant School has been reaffirmed as a good school during its recent inspection. The school is known for its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where pupils feel safe and happy. Most students meet high expectations for behavior and learning, aided by a well-structured curriculum that starts in the early years and promotes engagement. There is a strong focus on reading, especially for pupils for whom English is not the first language, and many participate enthusiastically in a variety of activities that enrich their experiences outside the classroom. While parents express satisfaction with the school, there are some concerns regarding a small number of pupils whose off-task behavior isn't consistently addressed, which could affect their learning opportunities.

Strengths

• Welcoming and inclusive environment
• Strong focus on reading and phonics
• Ambitious curriculum with clear knowledge progression
• High levels of pupil engagement and attendance
• Effective support for pupils with special educational needs

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent challenge of low-level off-task behavior
• Some learning goals for pupils with SEND lack precision

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' Church of England Aided Infant School attended 94.5% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 16.9% 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' Church of England Aided Infant 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' Church of England Aided Infant School had 21.8 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, 10.1% of pupils at St James' Church of England Aided Infant School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 10.9% 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' Church of England Aided Infant School received £9,625 and spent £9,662 for each of its 111 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £185,000 (£1,670 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 Derby · Derby local authority: places and applications

What is St James' Church of England Aided Infant School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for St James' Church of England Aided Infant School is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was St James' Church of England Aided Infant School last inspected by Ofsted?

St James' Church of England Aided Infant School was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does St James' Church of England Aided Infant School have?

St James' Church of England Aided Infant School has 129 pupils on roll.

What age range does St James' Church of England Aided Infant School cover?

St James' Church of England Aided Infant School for pupils aged 2 to 7.

Where is St James' Church of England Aided Infant School?

St James' Church of England Aided Infant School is at Leonard Street, Derby, Derbyshire, DE23 8EG.