Academic Excellence
At St James' School, we believe that every pupil has the potential to achieve great things. As a non-selective independent school, we are proud to provide an ambitious, supportive education that recognises individual strengths, nurtures confidence and encourages every child to achieve their personal best.
Our academic achievements reflect this commitment, with our latest GCSE results demonstrating the progress our pupils are making.
Celebrating Our 2026 GCSE Results
We are delighted to celebrate another year of academic success at St James', with our pupils achieving excellent results in their 2026 GCSE examinations.
2026 GCSE Highlights
These results represent significant improvement, with grades 9–4 increasing from 64% in 2025 to 92% in 2026, and the proportion of top grades (9–7) rising to 31%.
2026 GCSE Results :
Our GCSE pass rate has increased:
| Year | Pass Rate |
| 2026 | 100% |
| 2025 | 100% |
| 2024 | 93% |
As a non-selective school, we are particularly proud of these achievements. They reflect the determination of our pupils, the dedication of our teaching staff and the benefits of an education that combines academic ambition with individual attention.
We recognise that success looks different for every pupil. Our aim is not simply to help children achieve strong examination results, but to equip them with the confidence, knowledge and skills to succeed in the next stage of their education and beyond.
A Broad and Inspiring Curriculum
Our Senior School curriculum is designed to challenge, engage and inspire pupils while providing a strong academic foundation for GCSEs and future study.
Building on the National Curriculum, our approach combines carefully planned academic lessons with practical experiences and opportunities for independent thinking. We believe that learning should be engaging and purposeful, encouraging pupils to develop curiosity, creativity and a genuine enthusiasm for their subjects.
Alongside subject knowledge, we place considerable emphasis on effective study habits, memory recall, critical thinking and independent learning. Regular homework, study skills and academic guidance help pupils consolidate their understanding and develop the confidence to take ownership of their progress.
Years 7 –9 : Discovering Strengths and Building Confidence
During Years 7–9, pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum that allows them to explore a variety of subjects, discover new interests and develop the knowledge and skills needed for GCSE study.
Subjects Include:
English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, French, Spanish, Music, Art, ICT, Physical Education, Young Enterprise, PSHE and Religious Studies.
Our broad approach encourages pupils to explore both academic and creative interests, ensuring they have a strong foundation from which to make informed choices about their future.
Years 10 and 11: Preparing for GCSE Success
In Years 10 and 11, we offer a traditional set of 6 core subjects, as well as a diverse choice of options from which an additional 4 are selected. This prepares students well for further study at A level and beyond, as well as a range of technical and vocational studies.
Compulsory GCSE subjects:
English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Optional Subjects:
Art, Business Studies, French, Geography, History, Photography, Physical Education, Religious Studies and Spanish.
Alongside their GCSE studies, all pupils follow a non-examined course in PSHE programme, ensuring they are well prepared to live a healthy and successful life within our local community and global society. We also encourage pupils to participate in the wider life of the school, from public speaking competitions and school productions to opportunities that develop teamwork, creativity and leadership.
Personalised Learning and Academic Support
Every pupil is different. Their education should reflect that.
One of the defining strengths of St James' is our commitment to personalised learning.
Our small class sizes allow teachers to know their pupils well, identify their strengths and provide individual guidance to help them progress. Whether a pupil needs additional academic challenge, targeted intervention or support in developing confidence, our aim is to ensure they have the opportunity to flourish.
Academic Support - The Learning Hub
Revision classes, targeted learning support and mentoring systems provide additional quality support for students to make sure that they feel confident and able to make progress. The small class sizes and individual attention given to our pupils help them to build resilience and a desire to succeed.
Pupils in the Senior department can access The Hub at any point during the school day for tailored academic support and a purposeful place to complete independent study.
At St. James’, we pride ourselves on providing a tailored education to all our pupils, whether they're aiming for university, vocational routes or need specialised support to help them reach their full potential both academically and personally. With three distinct pathways—the Mainstream School, the Learning Hub, and the Learning Lodge, we’re equipped to help each child thrive, whatever their individual needs. Learn more about our Learning Pathways by clicking here.
We invite you to visit St James', meet our teachers and discover how our personalised approach could help your child thrive.