St James Academy
- Secondary
- Academy converter
- Ages 11 to 16
URN 144657 · Dudley · DUDLEY ACADEMIES TRUST
Inspection
Ofsted management information, as at 30 September 2026.
Latest graded inspection
4 June 2024Overall effectiveness
Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding is effective
- Yes
Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1
Under the earlier framework, inspections gave an overall effectiveness grade.
Earlier graded inspection
1 March 2022Overall effectiveness
Requires improvement
Full inspection (section 5)
Under the earlier framework, inspections gave an overall effectiveness grade.
Read the reports on Ofsted’s website. Source: Ofsted, State-funded school inspections and outcomes: management information.
Attendance
Against Dudley and England, secondary schools.
Overall absence
2024/2511.5%
- Dudley
- 8.7%
- England
- 8.4%
3.1 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 7.1% | 5.7% | 5.5% |
| 2018/19 | 7.4% | 5.8% | 5.5% |
| 2020/21 | 6.4% | 5.8% | 5.5% |
| 2021/22 | 9.1% | 9.5% | 9.0% |
| 2022/23 | 10.7% | 9.3% | 9.0% |
| 2023/24 | 12.4% | 9.5% | 8.9% |
| 2024/25 | 11.5% | 8.7% | 8.4% |
Sessions missed for any reason, as a share of all possible sessions in the school year. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Pupil absence in schools in England, 2024/25.
Persistent absence
2024/2535.2%
- Dudley
- 26.2%
- England
- 23.4%
11.8 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 23.1% | 14.9% | 13.9% |
| 2018/19 | 25.8% | 16.3% | 13.7% |
| 2020/21 | 22.1% | 16.5% | 14.8% |
| 2021/22 | 31.5% | 31.2% | 27.7% |
| 2022/23 | 34.2% | 28.5% | 26.5% |
| 2023/24 | 38.6% | 29.0% | 25.6% |
| 2024/25 | 35.2% | 26.2% | 23.4% |
Pupils who missed 10% or more of their possible sessions, as a share of pupils. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Pupil absence in schools in England, 2024/25.
Severe absence
2024/259.5%
- Dudley
- 4.5%
- England
- 3.9%
5.6 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 1.9% | 1.4% | 1.2% |
| 2018/19 | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| 2020/21 | 2.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 2021/22 | 1.9% | 2.8% | 2.7% |
| 2022/23 | 5.1% | 3.9% | 3.4% |
| 2023/24 | 6.6% | 4.5% | 3.8% |
| 2024/25 | 9.5% | 4.5% | 3.9% |
Pupils who missed 50% or more of their possible sessions, as a share of pupils. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Pupil absence in schools in England, 2024/25.
Suspensions and permanent exclusions
Against Dudley and England, secondary schools.
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2024/2518.74
- Dudley
- 18.06
- England
- 21.24
2.50 lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 21.64 | 10.57 | 10.13 |
| 2018/19 | 86.60 | 22.05 | 10.75 |
| 2019/20 | 37.70 | 9.79 | 7.43 |
| 2020/21 | 35.73 | 12.07 | 8.48 |
| 2021/22 | 38.11 | 14.65 | 13.96 |
| 2022/23 | 23.77 | 19.53 | 18.90 |
| 2023/24 | 43.81 | 21.29 | 22.61 |
| 2024/25 | 18.74 | 18.06 | 21.24 |
Suspensions in the school year for every 100 pupils on roll. One pupil can be suspended more than once. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England, 2024/25.
Permanent exclusions per 100 pupils
2024/250.93
- Dudley
- 0.48
- England
- 0.23
0.70 higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 0.33 | 0.37 | 0.20 |
| 2018/19 | 1.12 | 0.45 | 0.20 |
| 2019/20 | 0.29 | 0.22 | 0.13 |
| 2020/21 | 0.42 | 0.18 | 0.10 |
| 2021/22 | 0.92 | 0.34 | 0.16 |
| 2022/23 | 0.61 | 0.39 | 0.22 |
| 2023/24 | 0.82 | 0.45 | 0.25 |
| 2024/25 | 0.93 | 0.48 | 0.23 |
Permanent exclusions in the school year for every 100 pupils on roll. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England, 2024/25.
Key stage 4 results
Against Dudley and England, secondary schools.
Attainment 8
2025/26 (provisional)41.6
- Dudley
- 44.2
- England
- 47.4
5.8 lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | Not published | 47.5 | 49.8 |
| 2022/23 | Not published | 43.4 | 47.2 |
| 2023/24 | 38.1 | 43.7 | 46.9 |
| 2024/25 | 36.8 | 43.9 | 47.1 |
| 2025/26 (provisional) | 41.6 | 44.2 | 47.4 |
The average of pupils' points across eight GCSE-level qualifications, with English and maths counted twice. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 4 performance, 2025/26.
English and maths: grade 4 or above
2025/26 (provisional)58%
- Dudley
- 62%
- England
- 66%
8 percentage points lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | Not published | 67% | 70% |
| 2022/23 | Not published | 60% | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 55% | 61% | 67% |
| 2024/25 | 48% | 62% | 66% |
| 2025/26 (provisional) | 58% | 62% | 66% |
Pupils at the end of key stage 4 with grade 4 or above in both English and maths. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 4 performance, 2025/26.
English and maths: grade 5 or above
2025/26 (provisional)47%
- Dudley
- 44%
- England
- 48%
1 percentage point lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | Not published | 46% | 51% |
| 2022/23 | Not published | 38% | 46% |
| 2023/24 | 39% | 42% | 47% |
| 2024/25 | 37% | 42% | 47% |
| 2025/26 (provisional) | 47% | 44% | 48% |
Pupils at the end of key stage 4 with grade 5 or above in both English and maths. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 4 performance, 2025/26.
Pupils
Against Dudley and England, secondary schools.
Eligible for free school meals
2024/2549.9%
- Dudley
- 29.0%
- England
- 25.8%
24.1 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 44.8% | 23.3% | 20.9% |
| 2022/23 | 48.5% | 25.5% | 22.7% |
| 2023/24 | 49.9% | 27.2% | 24.1% |
| 2024/25 | 49.9% | 29.0% | 25.8% |
Pupils known to be eligible for free school meals on census day in January. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
SEN support
2024/2511.8%
- Dudley
- 13.8%
- England
- 13.4%
1.6 percentage points lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 10.5% | 14.0% | 11.9% |
| 2022/23 | 12.0% | 13.7% | 12.4% |
| 2023/24 | 11.6% | 13.5% | 12.9% |
| 2024/25 | 11.8% | 13.8% | 13.4% |
Pupils receiving special educational needs support without an education, health and care plan. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Education, health and care plan
2024/252.0%
- Dudley
- 2.7%
- England
- 3.1%
1.1 percentage points lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 1.7% | 2.1% | 2.2% |
| 2022/23 | 1.6% | 2.4% | 2.4% |
| 2023/24 | 2.0% | 2.5% | 2.7% |
| 2024/25 | 2.0% | 2.7% | 3.1% |
Pupils with an education, health and care plan. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
First language other than English
2024/2534.7%
- Dudley
- 11.5%
- England
- 19.2%
15.5 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 33.4% | 10.6% | 17.5% |
| 2022/23 | 34.8% | 10.6% | 18.1% |
| 2023/24 | 35.9% | 11.2% | 18.6% |
| 2024/25 | 34.7% | 11.5% | 19.2% |
Pupils whose first language is known or believed to be other than English. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Teachers
Against Dudley and England, secondary schools.
Pupils per qualified teacher
2025/2621.8
- Dudley
- 16.7
- England
- 17.3
4.5 higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 14.7 | 15.9 | 16.5 |
| 2018/19 | 15.7 | 17.0 | 16.8 |
| 2019/20 | 19.0 | 16.9 | 17.2 |
| 2020/21 | 18.0 | 16.6 | 17.1 |
| 2021/22 | 20.5 | 16.9 | 17.1 |
| 2022/23 | Not published | 16.3 | 17.2 |
| 2023/24 | 16.4 | 16.8 | 17.4 |
| 2024/25 | 21.7 | 17.3 | 17.3 |
| 2025/26 | 21.8 | 16.7 | 17.3 |
Full-time equivalent pupils for each full-time equivalent qualified teacher. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, School workforce in England, 2025/26.
Teacher sickness absence
2024/254.2 days
- Dudley
- 4.4 days
- England
- 5.0 days
0.8 days lower than England.
Compared with all state-funded schools: DfE publishes this measure for all schools, not by phase.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Dudley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 0.0 days | 4.3 days | 4.0 days |
| 2018/19 | 1.2 days | 3.9 days | 4.0 days |
| 2019/20 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2020/21 | 9.5 days | 3.3 days | 3.9 days |
| 2021/22 | Not published | 4.4 days | 6.3 days |
| 2022/23 | 4.5 days | 4.2 days | 5.2 days |
| 2023/24 | 4.2 days | 4.6 days | 5.3 days |
| 2024/25 | 4.2 days | 4.4 days | 5.0 days |
Days lost to sickness absence in the school year, averaged across all teachers. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, School workforce in England, 2024/25.
Finance
Academies report their accounts as part of their trust, so DfE publishes no school-level balance for this school. The trust’s figures are in DfE’s Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool.
See this school in the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool
About the school
- Pupils on roll
- 867
- Capacity
- 900
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Gender
- Mixed
- Trust
- DUDLEY ACADEMIES TRUST
- Opened
- 1 September 2017
- Setting
- Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
- Constituency
- Dudley
- Deprivation of the area (IDACI)
- Decile 3 of 10 (1 is the most deprived tenth of neighbourhoods)
Address: St James's Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 3JE
Website: www.stjamesacademy.org.uk
Telephone: 01384685200
Sources and corrections
Every figure on this page names its source and period. This release was built on 20 October 2026.
- Department for Education: Get Information about Schools: establishment data (GIAS establishment extract 2026-10-20)
- Ofsted: State-funded school inspections and outcomes: management information (Latest inspections as at 2026-09-30; All inspections, 2018/19; All inspections, 2019/20; All inspections, 2020/21; All inspections, 2021/22; All inspections, 2022/23; All inspections, 2023/24; All inspections, 2024/25; All inspections, 2025/26)
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Pupil absence in schools in England (absence-3term-school, 2013/14 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England (exc-school, 2006/07 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; exc-ap-school, 2013/14 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; exc-geography, 2006/07 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; exc-ap-geography, 2013/14 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Key stage 2 attainment (ks2-school, 2022/23 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; ks2-geography, 2015/16 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Key stage 4 performance (ks4-school, 2023/24 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id]; ks4-geography, 2018/19 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Schools, pupils and their characteristics (School census, January 2022 (performance tables, 2021 to 2022); School census, January 2023 (performance tables, 2022 to 2023); School census, January 2024 (performance tables, 2023 to 2024); School census, January 2025 (performance tables, 2024 to 2025))
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: School workforce in England (ptr-school, 2010/11 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id]; ptr-geography, 2010/11 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id]; sickness-school, 2009/10 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; sickness-geography, 2009/10 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id])
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: English indices of deprivation 2025: Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (English indices of deprivation 2025, File 7 (2021 LSOAs))
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