St James CofE Primary Academy
High Street, Rochester, ME3 0BS
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
190
Headteacher
Miss Fay Cordingley
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Good
Faith
Church of England
Local authority
Medway
Academy
Yes
About St James CofE Primary Academy
Based in Isle of Grain, near Rochester, St James CofE Primary Academy is a primary school for children aged 3 to 11 and takes boys and girls. The school currently has about 190 pupils. The school has a Church of England character. It is an academy, so its governing trust sets its own admission arrangements within the national code, and Medway coordinates offers. The headteacher is Miss Fay Cordingley.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated St James CofE Primary Academy Good at its inspection on 24 May 2023. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
At key stage 2, 38% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 95.0% (absence 5.0%) (2024/25). Around 29.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.
Getting a place at St James CofE Primary Academy
You apply for a place at St James CofE Primary Academy on the primary common application form through Medway, with the national deadline of 15 January. If the school is oversubscribed, places are allocated on its published admissions criteria, which usually give priority to looked-after children, siblings and distance from home to school. There is no separate entrance assessment. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.
SEND at a glance
St James CofE Primary Academy is a mainstream school, supporting pupils with SEND alongside their classmates through the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Before and after school
St James CofE Primary Academy offers an on-site nursery. Session times, costs and availability are set by the school, so confirm them before you rely on a place.
St James CofE Primary Academy contact details and location
St James CofE Primary Academy is at High Street, Isle of Grain, Rochester, Kent, ME3 0BS. The school office can be reached on 01634 270341. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Ofsted's most recent visit confirmed the overall rating. It did not re-grade the individual areas.
St James CofE Primary Academy admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
St James CofE Primary Academy does not run its own entrance test. As an academy, its governing trust is the admissions authority and sets the arrangements within the national Admissions Code, while Medway Council coordinates applications and offers. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria. As a Church of England school, faith-based criteria may apply in oversubscription - a supplementary information form is usually required.
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Medway Council. Medway school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (autumn term before Reception)
Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Medway Council website by mid-January - for September 2026 entry the window ran from Friday 7 November 2025 to Thursday 15 January 2026, and offers were emailed on Thursday 16 April 2026.
2. National Offer Day (mid-April)
You'll be told your allocated school by email - for 2026 entry KCC emailed offers on Thursday 16 April 2026 after 4pm, with offers visible online from 5pm.
3. Accept and, if needed, appeal
Accept your place by the given date. If you didn't get your preferred school, you have the right to appeal.
4. In-year admissions
Moving mid-year? In-year applications for an academy are usually made direct to the school - check its website for the in-year form, or contact Medway Council if you need help finding a place.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If St James CofE Primary Academy is not offered on National Offer Day, you can appeal the decision. The appeal is heard by an independent panel and is free to submit.
How to appeal a school offerSt James CofE Primary Academy results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at St James CofE Primary Academy
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at St James CofE Primary Academy
Nursery
Yes
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
St James CofE Primary Academy term dates: Medway standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Medway Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
St James CofE Primary Academy: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at St James CofE Primary Academy?
Apply through Medway on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming St James CofE Primary Academy as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is St James CofE Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated St James CofE Primary Academy Good at its inspection on 24 May 2023. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does St James CofE Primary Academy offer?
St James CofE Primary Academy is recorded as a mainstream school. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
Does St James CofE Primary Academy have a nursery or wraparound care?
St James CofE Primary Academy offers a nursery. Times, costs and availability are set by the school, so check directly before booking.
What are St James CofE Primary Academy's term dates and INSET days?
St James CofE Primary Academy follows the standard Medway pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is St James CofE Primary Academy and how do I contact the school?
St James CofE Primary Academy is at High Street, Isle of Grain, Rochester, Kent, ME3 0BS. The office number is 01634 270341. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is St James CofE Primary Academy and what ages does it take?
St James CofE Primary Academy has around 190 pupils on roll and covers ages 3 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Summer 2026.
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