Plympton Academy vs St James School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South West, England, 55 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Plympton Academy
Plymouth · Academy secondary · Ages 11–18
984 students
St James School
Exeter · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
985 students
| Measure | Plympton Academy Plymouth, South West | St James School Exeter, South West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 45 Lower 50% | 60 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #231 of 402 | #139 of 402 |
| National rank | #2235 of 4,090 | #1520 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–18 | Ages 11–16 |
| Students | 984 | 985 |
| Pupils on roll | 984 | 985 |
| Free school meals | 23.4% | 28.2% |
| Capacity filled | 72.9% | 100.5% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 43.1 | 46.9 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 43.8% | 53% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 66.5% | 69.2% |
| EBacc average points | 3.57 | 4.42 |
| A level points per entry | 28.5 | – |
| town | Plymouth | Exeter |
| region | South West | South West |
| Website | www.plympton.academy | www.stjamesexeter.co.uk/ |
The verdict
- •St James School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (59.5 vs 44.9).
- •St James School is the larger school with 985 students compared with 984.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Plympton Academy better than St James School?
On the Success Index (England), St James School ranks higher (59.5 vs 44.9 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Plympton Academy and St James School?
About 55 km in a straight line, between Plymouth and Exeter in South West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Plympton Academy: 984. St James School: 985. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Plympton Academy and St James School rank in South West?
Plympton Academy is 231st of 402 and St James School is 139th of 402 among secondary schools in South West on the 2025 Success Index (England).