BoysIndependent

St James Senior Boys' School

Ashford, Surrey, South East · TW15 3DZ

A small independent boys' school in Ashford, Surrey, St James educates around 248 pupils across the full 11-18 range, with a sixth form of just 41. Its standout feature is a pupil-to-teacher ratio of about eight to one, well below what most schools can offer and a sign of how closely boys are known and supported here. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school 'good' overall in its most recent inspection, while singling out personal development as 'excellent' and confirming that all compliance requirements were met. With more than half its pupils on SEN support, the school clearly attracts families who value individual attention.

248

Pupils

good

ISI

£28,545

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Boys
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 11-18
Pupils: 248
Pupil:teacher ratio: 8
Location: Ashford, Surrey, South East
Website: www.stjamesschools.co.uk/seniorboys
Telephone: 01784 266930

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Headmaster Rick Clarke

Latest results

Attainment 8

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

71%

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

35%

A-level A*-A

22%

A-level A*-B

52%

Teaching & academics

Results sit comfortably above national benchmarks: the average Attainment 8 score of 58 outstrips the national 46.9, and 71% of boys secure grade 5 or better in English and Maths against a national figure of 47%. Around a third of GCSE grades fall in the 9-7 range. At A-level, 22% of entries reach A*-A and 52% reach A*-B, with sciences, mathematics and humanities such as psychology, history and economics among the most popular choices.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 41

Popular A-level subjects

PsychologyPhysicsMathematicsHistoryGeographyEconomicsChemistryBusiness StudiesBiology

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-level

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 54.43%
EHC plans: 1.83%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

Sports scholarshipsArts scholarshipsAcademic scholarships (Headmaster's invitation only)

Languages

FrenchSpanish

Popular GCSE subjects

SpanishPhysicsMusicMathematicsHistoryGeographyFrenchEnglish LiteratureEnglish LanguageDrama & Theatre StudiesDesign & TechnologyComputer Studies/ComputingChemistryBusiness StudiesBiologyArt & Design (Fine Art)

Sport

Main sports

RugbyFootballCricketTennisBadmintonSquashAthleticsGymnastics

Beyond the classroom

Sport is broad, ranging from rugby, football and cricket to tennis, squash, badminton, athletics and gymnastics, and sports scholarships are among the awards on offer. Arts and academic scholarships are also available, the latter by the Headmaster's invitation, and music and drama feature among the most-studied GCSE subjects.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1970
Boarding: No

Mobile phone policy

Boys in years 7-10 may bring phones to school, but they must be kept out of sight and not used at all during the school day. This is strictly enforced. Year 11 pupils may use their mobile phones in their common room, but not around the site. Sixth form pupils can keep phones on them, and they can be used in the sixth form common room and work areas, but not around the school site.

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £28,545

Means-tested bursaries available

Inspection reports

ISI rating: good
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 3 October 2023

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A small, attentive boys' school where a remarkable eight-to-one staffing ratio underpins strong results and genuinely individual support. Means-tested bursaries and a range of scholarships help widen access.

The Passmate verdict