Is St James' Catholic High School a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 21 April 2026 under its report-card framework and graded seven areas at Expected standard. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded C, 22nd of 28 secondary schools in Barnet. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are St James' Catholic High School's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at St James' Catholic High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 50.4 (England: 46.2). 52.8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at St James' Catholic High School?

Applications for Year 7 places at St James' Catholic High School starting in September 2027 close on 31 October 2026. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027 (or the next working day).

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St James' Catholic High School

Great Strand, Colindale, London, NW9 5PE

Local ranking22nd of 28 secondary schools in Barnet

Ofsted: ExpectedUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1400

Capacity

11-18

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 21 April 2026. Figures last updated 20 October 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 21 April 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Achievement: Expected standard
Curriculum & teaching: Expected standard
Attendance & behaviour: Expected standard
Personal development & wellbeing: Expected standard
Leadership & governance: Expected standard
Inclusion: Expected standard
Post-16 provision: Expected standard

Scale: Exceptional · Strong · Expected · Needs attention · Urgent improvement

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 50.4 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 52.8% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 70.4% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 233

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 96.0%
Continued in education: 91.0%
Apprenticeships: 3.0%
Employment: 2.0%
Not sustained: 1.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 83.0%
Higher education: 64.0%
Apprenticeships: 7.0%
Employment: 9.0%
Not sustained: 12.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

C+

Avg A-Level Grade

32.7

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

33.3

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.8

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 7.8% nat17.5%
Applied General Avg Points: 32.8
16-18 Cohort: 206

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 1254
Boys: 682 (55%)
Girls: 561 (45%)
Capacity: 1400 (89% full)
SEND: 12.8%
FSM Eligible: 32.7%
EAL: 64.8%
SEN with EHC Plan: 2.3%
SEN Support: 10.4%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 16.1:1
Teachers (FTE): 78.0
Budget per Pupil: £8,424/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 7.6% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 20.7% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Voluntary aided school
Phase: Secondary
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Nursery: No Nursery Classes
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White Other: 33.5%
Black African: 15.8%
White British: 12.8%
Other: 5.9%
Asian Other: 5.7%
Mixed Other: 4.9%
White Irish: 4.6%
Black Caribbean: 3.3%

33.5%

White Other

15.8%

Black African

12.8%

White British

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

02083582800

aellul@st-james.barnet.sch.uk

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Great Strand

London, London

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Administrative

URN: 101364
UKPRN: 10006183
Establishment No.: 5407

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