St James CofE Primary School
Sandrock Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3PR
Pupils
632
Ages
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
632
Headteacher
Mr John Tutt
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Good
Faith
Church of England
Local authority
Kent
About St James CofE Primary School
Based in Tunbridge Wells, St James CofE Primary School is a primary school for children aged 4 to 11 and takes boys and girls. The school currently has about 632 pupils. On our figures that is above the typical size for a primary school in Tunbridge Wells. The school has a Church of England character. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. The headteacher is Mr John Tutt.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated St James CofE Primary School Good at its inspection on 5 March 2024. 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, 72% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 95.5% (absence 4.5%) (2024/25). Around 10.5% 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 School
You apply for a place at St James CofE Primary School on the primary common application form through Kent, 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 School 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.
St James CofE Primary School contact details and location
St James CofE Primary School is at Sandrock Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3PR. The school office can be reached on 01892 523006. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 05/03/2024
Quality of Education
How well pupils are taught and what they learn
Behaviour and Attitudes
How pupils behave and their attitude to learning
Personal Development
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Leadership and Management
How well the school is run
Early Years
Quality of nursery and Reception
St James CofE Primary School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
St James CofE Primary School does not run its own entrance test. Places are allocated by Kent County Council using published oversubscription criteria. 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.
Official links
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Kent County Council. KCC school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (autumn term before Reception)
Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Kent County 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? Apply directly through Kent County Council's in-year admissions team, or in some cases direct to the school.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If St James CofE Primary School 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 School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at St James CofE Primary School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at St James CofE Primary School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
St James CofE Primary School term dates: Kent standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Kent County 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 School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at St James CofE Primary School?
Apply through Kent on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming St James CofE Primary School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is St James CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated St James CofE Primary School Good at its inspection on 5 March 2024. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does St James CofE Primary School offer?
St James CofE Primary School 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.
What are St James CofE Primary School's term dates and INSET days?
St James CofE Primary School follows the standard Kent 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 School and how do I contact the school?
St James CofE Primary School is at Sandrock Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3PR. The office number is 01892 523006. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is St James CofE Primary School and what ages does it take?
St James CofE Primary School has around 632 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 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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Get my profile builtSchools near St James CofE Primary School
The closest schools to TN2 3PR, measured from each school's own location.
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The Wells Free School
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Temple Grove Academy
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The Mead School
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