St James Senior Boys’ School

Ashford, Surrey  I  249 Pupils  I  11-18 Years Boys

A St James Senior Boys’ School education is one that is open hearted and one that sees the unlimited potential in all of the young people who join us. We aim to produce young men of character, who know their own mind, who are confident academically and who possess a desire to make a difference to the world around them.  

Founded in 1975, we are an independent day school for boys aged 11-18 located in Ashford, Surrey. Boys may join in either Year 7 or Year 9, with all applicants required to sit online assessments aligned with the National Curriculum and be interviewed.  External applicants may also join in Year 12. Our teachers are, first and foremost, specialists in their subjects, but they are also dedicated to supporting the wellbeing and development of our pupils. Indeed, positive relationships permeate our school, and we are proud of the camaraderie that exists amongst the pupil body and between pupils and staff. 

‘Overall, at every level, St James fosters a love of learning.’ – Independent Schools Inspectorate Report, 2023  

‘An excellent fit for boys who just want a gentler, kinder and deeper approach to education – all with a strong academic end point.’ – Good Schools Guide, 2023  

At St James Senior Boys’ School, we offer a fully holistic education to each boy, allowing him to achieve more than he thinks is possible whilst simultaneously evolving his character. We offer a board range of subjects combining the traditional subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Humanities with more creative and practical subjects such as Languages, Art, Music, DT, and Drama. There is a unique chance to learn subjects like Sanskrit and Greek which we believe is at the core of the finest materials boys can be exposed to. From the starting point in Year 7, they will typically go on to focus on nine or ten subjects at GCSE and three at A Level.  

Alongside their curriculum-based learning, pupils are given extensive opportunities to enjoy a well-rounded learning experience. We offer a wide range of co-curricular clubs such as Table Tennis, Graphic Design, and Role Play, and we take great pride in our Cadet programme which has been a thriving part of our school community for over 30 years. Our cadet unit offers boys the opportunity to participate in a wide range of exciting and challenging activities throughout the year, including overseas battlefield tours, live firing ranges, and a remembrance service parade. In addition, St James Senior Boys’ School is proud to have been nominated as finalists for School Trip of the Year in the Independent Schools of the Year 2025 Awards. This recognition celebrates our distinctive approach to trips, which are carefully designed to enrich every stage of a student’s journey at St James. Whether students are climbing 4,000-metre peaks, walking 120km along the Camino de Santiago, or engaging with classical philosophy in Athens, they are constantly encouraged to step beyond the familiar and grow in courage, curiosity and character.  

Our excellent pastoral provision equips pupils with strategies to develop their own mental health and nurture emotional resilience.  This focus on health is complemented by us being a vegetarian school; we are proud of our delicious and nutritious menus that are carefully planned across the week, and which comprise food freshly prepared each day in our state-of-the-art kitchens. 

Our broad curriculum and wide range of co-curricular learning opportunities is carefully planned to ensure our pupils develop a true love for learning and have the opportunity to find their true passion. All the while, we support our pupils’ emotional wellbeing through a focus on mindfulness, daily meditative practice and by fostering a school atmosphere built on mutual respect and trust. 

It is an approach that results in young men who balance academic achievement with emotional resilience; who are self-disciplined and self-aware but also socially confident and blessed with generosity of spirit; secure in themselves and ready to take their place in the world. 

The school holds Open Events and private tours throughout the year – please book via www.stjamesboys.co.uk  

St James Senior Boys’ School (member of ISA, Society of Heads, and IBSC)  

Admissions: 01784 266 933  

admissions@stjamesboys.co.uk |www.stjamesboys.co.uk