St James Senior Girls’ School

Independent

National rank

183=

207

Rank last year

78%

A-level

A-level

A*-B

54%

GCSE

GCSE

A*/A/9/8/7

Need to know

Head teacher

Emma Bell

Gender of entry

Girls, mixed prep

Total pupils

244 (11-18)

Head teacher

Emma Bell

Gender of entry

Girls, mixed prep

Total pupils

244 (11-18)

Head teacher

Emma Bell

Gender of entry

Girls, mixed prep

Total pupils

244 (11-18)

UK day fees per term*

£8,545 (11-18) includes lunch

*Fee correct as of November 21, 2024
Our methodology
Results

A-level 2024 rank: 164=

Grade

%

A*/A

49

A*-B

78

GCSE 2024 rank: 222=

Grade

%

A*/9/8

31

A/7

23

A*/A/9/8/7

54

What the school inspection says

Date of report
2019
Verdict
Excellent
“The school’s aim is to provide a curriculum which enriches intellectual and emotional development, expanding understanding, wisdom and creative potential. The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent. Pupils are highly successful in obtaining places at universities which require high standards of entry …Pupils have extremely positive attitudes to learning and are highly self-motivated. They are acutely self-aware, without being self-absorbed, because reflection and contemplative practice, together with consideration of others, are built into the everyday life of the school.” There was a routine inspection in 2024.
Read the full report
Read report

About the school

  • The St James Schools group (which includes a boys’ school and a nursery/prep school) was founded in 1975 by the School of Economic Science, an organisation based on the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. All food served at its sites is vegetarian.
  • The school’s mission is “to offer a unique education based on eastern and western philosophical foundations”. Lessons begin and end with a short period of quiet reflection, referred to as “the Pause”, to promote pupils’ appreciation of meditation and mindfulness.
  • Sanskrit is a core part of the school curriculum. St James is considered a centre of excellence for teaching the language, and some pupils have furthered their study at Oxford.
  • The St James Academy of Performing Arts was launched in 2022 and offers extracurricular classes in dance, drama, music and singing.
  • Alumnae include the actress Emily Watson and the film director Nida Manzoor.
Address