Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #22 in North Yorkshire public Top 23% UK

King James's School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMrs Clare Martin

location_onKnaresborough, HG5 8EB

language Visit Website phone 1423866061

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2017

groups

Students

1,554

trending_up

Attainment 8

46.1

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GCSE Rank

#20 in North Yorkshire

#1,530 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

King James's School is a Community school secondary school in Knaresborough, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

King James's School is a community school in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,522 pupils on roll, of whom 18% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.1, placing the school #20 in North Yorkshire and #1,530 of 3,216 nationally. 41.30% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 15.4% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 25 A-level subjects. 50.5% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 23.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.13 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2017. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.0:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 7.8 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

46.1

Grade 5+ E&M

41.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)15.4%

Entering EBacc11.20%

EBacc APS3.88

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc17.90%

EBacc APS3.88

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.04

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21%

EBacc APS3.86

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.04

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc20%

EBacc APS4.21

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc20%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.39

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28%

EBacc APS4.55

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS4.48

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.13

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*6.1%

Achieving A*–A23.1%

Achieving A*–B50.5%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate97.0%

A-level subjects offered25

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.08

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

101

Retention rate91.10%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

111

Retention rate94.60%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

132

Retention rate97.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

10 January 2023

Inspection Report

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25 April 2017

Inspection Report

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01 December 2011

Inspection Report

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30 June 2010

Inspection Report

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23 June 2009

Inspection Report

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06 November 2006

Inspection Report

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09 September 2002

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2017-04-25

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2011-12-01

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2006-11-06

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

7.8%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.7%(56 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,522 pupils. During this period, there were 118 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 7.8%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,522	118	7.8%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,528	121	7.9%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,538	122	7.9%	7.4%	4
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,542	72	4.7%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,550	136	8.8%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,555	82	5.3%	6.6%	3
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,554	80	5.1%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,558	81	5.2%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,573	84	5.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,575	50	3.2%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,577	45	2.9%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,577	29	1.8%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,579	7	0.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,581	34	2.2%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,545	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,545	31	2.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,544	35	2.3%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,488	27	1.8%	3.1%	2
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,501	52	3.5%	3.8%	2
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,503	53	3.5%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,509	39	2.6%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,513	26	1.7%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,519	38	2.5%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,500	29	1.9%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,511	47	3.1%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,523	28	1.8%	3.1%	1

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 73 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 65 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 46 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 34 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 24 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 4 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

86.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

88.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree21%

agree53%

disagree16%

strongly disagree5%

don't know5%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree23%

agree44%

disagree25%

strongly disagree5%

don't know3%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree26%

agree29%

disagree14%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

not applicable22%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes14%

no86%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree32%

agree33%

disagree12%

strongly disagree18%

dont know5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree31%

agree48%

disagree10%

strongly disagree3%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree31%

agree50%

disagree14%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree34%

agree51%

disagree12%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree43%

agree53%

disagree3%

don't know1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree43%

agree49%

disagree5%

don't know3%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree24%

agree49%

disagree15%

strongly disagree4%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes83%

no17%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in North Yorkshire

Ripon Grammar School

Skipton Girls' High School

Ermysted's Grammar School

Harrogate Grammar School

St Aidan's Church of England High School

St John Fisher Catholic Academy