ST JAMES THE GREAT RC PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL in Croydon, Thornton Heath

Education Centre Information: St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School:

Establishment Type:Academy Converter
Phase of Education: Primary
Status: Open
Local Authority: Croydon
Reason Establishment Opened: Academy Converter
Establishment Open Date: 01/04/2012
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Diocese: Archdiocese of Southwark
Nursery Provider: Has Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 482
Number of boys: 241
Number of girls: 241
Age Range: 3-11
Gender: Mixed
View inspection reports

Background:

Founded in 1976, the school was extended in 1991/92 to accommodate two forms of entry. Located in the north of Croydon in 'well-maintained, single- storey, modern premises', the site includes 'extensive' grounds where a range of sporting activities are developed, including football, netball and athletics. St James the Great sees sport as integral to the curriculum and in the 1998/99 sports season, it won the Croydon Catholic Schools netball and 5-a-side football tournaments and the Croydon Catholic schools sports day, and was the Croydon Netball League and Croydon School' Football Division champion. The school also uses local amenities to take all pupils to the 'Ranger' swimming award level and provides a strong ice skating programme up to Grade 12. Music tuition is provided for flute, violin and guitar and the school also has a choir. One hundred boys and girls attend Saturday morning football training and pre- and after- school clubs include drama, recorder, French, gymnastics, cricket, line dancing, netball and the school newspaper. The school has developed 'very active' participation in the two parish communities it serves, St Andrews and St Bartholomews, in addition to its wider Thornton Heath community. The school is over-subscribed, receiving two applications for every place, and has a very mixed intake both economically and culturally. It 'strives to make pupils aware of their responsibilities to others' and raises 'significant' amounts for a range of charities, both at home and abroad, while also raising funds to support the running of the school's own 53-seater coach and 16-seater minibus. This helps the school to organise a wide range of educational visits and residential trips.