Remember the rhyme “sticks and stones may break my bones?” Well, the story of St Clement and St James C of E Primary School shows us that schools are built not just with bricks but also with resilience. This voluntary aided school stands on Penzance Place. It has a rich history tied to the community.
St Clement and St James C of E Primary School wasn’t always one entity. It began as two separate schools. St Clements Notting Dale opened in 1866. St James Norlands followed in 1862. These schools served children from an area once described as “notoriously depraved” and “hopelessly degraded”. Parents worked hard. They took in laundry. Some kept pigs. Others toiled in potteries.
In the early 1980s, the Inner London Education Authority decided to merge the two schools. Tragedy struck in 1983. An electrical fault caused a fire that destroyed the St James school building. But from the ashes, a new school rose. The foundation stone for the merged school was laid in 1985 on the old St James site. The new building opened its doors in 1986. This marked a new chapter for St Clement and St James C of E Primary School.
The original St James playground was unique. It sat on the roof of the building. A new playground was created at ground level during the merger. Since then, St Clement and St James C of E Primary School has continued to evolve. The building has been updated. It now offers more office space. There are extra spaces for one-to-one learning. The school also provides emotional support in the Nest area. The nursery has moved into a refurbished Early Years unit. It is now located in the main building.
Today, St Clement and St James C of E Primary School accommodates children aged 4 to 11. It offers classes from Nursery to Year 6. The school has a capacity of 210 pupils. Currently, 158 pupils attend. Ms. Sarah Bouette is the Headteacher.
St Clement and St James C of E Primary School has a Church of England religious character. It falls under the Diocese of London. The school is part of St Thomas’ Federation. Ofsted inspected the school on June 6, 2023. The inspection resulted in a rating of “Good”. Behaviour and attitudes were rated as “Outstanding”. Personal development and leadership and management also received “Outstanding” ratings. The early years provision was also deemed “Outstanding”.
St Clement and St James C of E Primary School provides a breakfast club. An after-school play center is available. It runs Monday to Friday from 3:30 pm to 6 pm. There are also after-school clubs. These include art and homework assistance.
And there you have it. The story of St Clement and St James C of E Primary School reflects its enduring commitment to education. It highlights its role in the community. From its humble beginnings to its present-day success, the school remains a vital part of London.