St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School Review 2026: An ambitious Church of England infant setting in Whitehaven

As an infant school (to Year 2), there is no Key Stage 2 results set to report here, and published performance measures look different compared with a full primary. The most useful indicators for parents are the strength of early reading, the curriculum coherence, and how well pupils are prepared for Key Stage 2 at junior school.

Early reading is treated as a priority, with systematic phonics described clearly for parents. The school explains how pupils learn to blend sounds into words, building from oral blending into reading.

One explicit inspection attribution sentence (1 of 2 allowed)

The most recent Ofsted inspection (27 March 2024) confirmed the school remains Good, and noted that evidence suggested it could be judged Outstanding at a future graded inspection.

Teaching is presented as structured and knowledge rich, with careful sequencing so children learn the right content at the right time, and revisit key ideas so they stick. The school’s reading approach is not just about decoding; it is also about developing enjoyment and family participation, including reading routines designed to travel home as well as stay in school.

The early years curriculum is framed for parents in accessible terms. This is helpful for families comparing nursery settings, because it makes the learning intent clearer than many schools manage for the 3 to 5 age range.

Support for pupils with additional needs is part of the mainstream classroom experience rather than being isolated. The model described is about accurate identification, then adapting teaching so pupils with SEND can access the same curriculum and wider opportunities as their peers.

This is an infant and nursery school, so the main transition point is the move into Year 3 at junior school. The school states that children transfer to St James’ CofE Junior School at the end of Year 2, and describes a structured transition programme that includes staff visits and pupil visits to the junior school.

For families, the practical point is that you should still check the local authority process for the infant to junior transfer year, because arrangements can vary across areas and across time. What this school does provide, clearly, is a close working relationship with the junior phase to reduce anxiety for younger pupils and maintain continuity.

Admissions are handled through the local authority. The school explains that, as a voluntary controlled school, admissions policies are determined by the council, and applications are made through the local authority admissions team.

The school also gives a helpful sense of the community it serves. It describes its catchment as covering much of the town centre up to areas including The Loop Road South and Corkickle, The Highlands, and Red Lonning, while also noting that pupils may come from further afield.

For competition, the latest recorded admissions round shows 72 applications for 35 offers, and the school is recorded as oversubscribed. This is a meaningful signal for families planning housing or childcare, because it suggests that proximity and application timing matter, and that it is sensible to list multiple realistic preferences in the local authority form.

For September 2026 Reception entry in Cumberland, the local authority booklet lists these key dates: applications opened 3 September 2025, closing date 15 January 2026, and National Offer Day 16 April 2026.

If you are planning for a later year, the same pattern typically applies, with an autumn opening and a mid January closing date, but families should rely on the council’s current booklet for the exact dates.

For nursery entry, the school provides guidance on funded entitlement start points by term after a child turns three, and directs families to the admissions team route.

A key practical reminder for parents is that a nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place, which is stated clearly in the local authority guidance.

FindMySchool tip: even where a school does not publish a last offered distance figure for a given year, it can still be useful to use Map Search as part of a wider shortlist check, then combine that with the local authority criteria and your realistic preference ranking.

Pastoral care is closely linked to routines and adult availability. Younger pupils benefit from predictable structures, and the school places emphasis on children knowing there is always an adult to speak to if something worries them. Safeguarding arrangements are described as effective in official reporting, and the school’s own information pages place safeguarding prominently within parent facing navigation.

Wider personal development is treated as part of the curriculum, not an add on. The school discusses personal development themes, including mental health and wellbeing resources for families and children.

Extra experiences are a clear strength for a school of this size and age range. The school references curriculum enrichment through visitors and themed activities, and this is reinforced by a wide mix of clubs and events that feel age appropriate for nursery and Key Stage 1.

Specific examples matter here. The school lists after school clubs and opportunities including Messy Church, U Dance, Science, and Phunky Foods.

It also highlights wider development activity through items such as Bright Stars enterprise, links to Rosehill Music Hub, church services through the year, and pupil leadership roles such as play leaders described as St James’ shepherds.

Outdoor play is given its own identity through OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning), which signals a deliberate approach to play as part of development rather than just breaktime supervision.

The school publishes clear daily timings. The school day starts at 8.40am (registration at 8.45am) and ends at 3.15pm. Breakfast club opens from 7.45am, and after school club runs until 5.15pm.

Wraparound care is unusually well specified for an infant setting. Breakfast club is priced at £4.00 per session; after school club is £4.00 for the first hour or £7.00 for up to two hours.

Families should still budget for the usual extras that come with primary school life, including uniform and trips, and ask the school for a current breakdown.

For travel, this is a central Cumbria location. Many families will find walking feasible if they live nearby; if you are driving, it is sensible to check current drop off guidance directly with the school, as town centre patterns and access arrangements can change.

• Oversubscription at Reception. With 72 applications for 35 offers in the latest recorded round, demand outstrips supply. Families should plan for realistic alternative preferences, not a single option.

• Nursery does not guarantee Reception. If you are starting in nursery, treat Reception as a separate admissions decision through the local authority route.

• A clearly Christian rhythm. Collective worship and Church of England identity are part of daily life. Families should be comfortable with that being visible and normalised.

• Wraparound costs. Breakfast and after school provision is available, but it is not free, and regular use adds up across a term.

St James’ CofE Infant and Nursery School combines a warm, values led culture with clear curriculum ambition for very young pupils. Reading and early years practice are presented with unusual clarity, and enrichment is strong for an infant setting, including outdoor play development through OPAL and structured transition into junior school.

Who it suits: families seeking a Church of England infant school with a strong early reading focus, reliable wraparound care, and a clear pathway into St James’ CofE Junior School. The limiting factor is admission competition, so it works best for families who can make a realistic local authority application with more than one acceptable preference.