WHAT? WHERE?

St James Senior Boys’ isn’t your run-of-the-mill British senior school. This school for boys aged 11-18 school does things differently, putting mindfulness and philosophy front and centre. It’s modern, holistic, and refreshingly thoughtful. Every lesson starts and ends with a moment of calm, encouraging boys to slow down, reflect, and reset.

The school’s calm, contemplative feel dates back to its roots in the School of Economic Science, with influences of meditation and philosophy. The formal links are have long since ended, although the reflective spirit definitely lives on.

But change is coming. Building on that thoughtful, forward-looking approach, the school is now preparing to go co-ed. Girls will join in Years 7 and 12 from September 2027, with the move to full co-education planned by 2031.

The school currently has around 250 pupils and plans to grow gently to about 300. Entry is softly selective – the headmaster’s interview carries more weight than exam scores – because finding the right fit matters just as much as results.

Tucked away on a gorgeous 32-acre site in Ashford, near Staines-upon-Thames it’s a lovely campus ideally situated for families in Surrey and south-west London. It’s about 10 minutes from the M25, and Ashford Station is across the road which links easily to Richmond, Twickenham, Kingston, Weybridge, Hampton, Egham, Windsor, and beyond.

St James Boys’ was founded in 1975 in South Kensington, but relocated to Twickenham, and then in 2010 to Ashford. Its sibling schools – St James Prep and St James Girls’ Senior – remain in Kensington Olympia. Today, St James offers a rare mix of modern, reflective education in a beautiful, accessible location – a school that’s quietly, seriously different.

FACILITIES

St James’ Ashford campus is a hidden gem. Spread over 32 acres, it blends the calm of the countryside with all the creature comforts a modern school could want.

The heart of the school is a grand, Grade II-listed Gothic Victorian building, built in 1856, where most classrooms spread across three floors. The top floor currently houses a library and Sixth Form Centre, but plans are afoot to move the library and expand the Sixth Form. The new space will be modern and vibrant, with social areas, communal study zones, and study pods.

Elsewhere on campus, there are six science labs, art studios, music rooms, drama spaces, and the Moot Hall. The DT and art studios are seriously impressive, packed with laser cutters, 3D printers, CAD software, and enough tools to make any builder jealous.

A big, bright dining hall keeps everyone fed with an entirely vegetarian menu. I joined them for lunch and can happily report: no sad salads or cheesy pasta afterthoughts here.

The pièce de résistance is the all-singing, all-dancing sports centre, opened in 2021, with a large hall, indoor courts, cricket nets, climbing wall, and and impressive fitness suite.

The grounds, too, are spectacular. Think four full-size sports pitches, tennis courts (soon to be revamped to double as netball courts), a flood-lit astro – and even a lake. Yes, pupils kayak, paddleboard and do open-water swimming, without leaving campus.

There’s also a pretty chapel, led by the Revd Canon Dr Rob Marshall – a BBC Radio 4 Thought for the Day regular. But this is a school for all faiths (and none), with a spiritual rather than religious feel.

The history is equally fascinating. This site has always been a school – starting as the Welsh Girls’ School, then St David’s School for Girls, which closed in 2009.

SPORT

For a relatively small school, St James’ punches well above its weight – but with mindfulness at its heart, it’s very much sport-for-all. The belief here is that everyone can be sporty, and the school is determined to help each pupil find a sport they genuinely enjoy.

If pupils want to represent the school, they can – and they do. Rugby is a biggie: in 2025 the Under 18s scored a national win in the ISA Rugby 7s, while the U14 and U15 teams racked up victories at county and regional level. Cricket fans had reason to celebrate too, with the U14 and U15 teams taking the National ISA T10 titles. The U15 football squad also reached the national ESFA final, coming away with a very respectable runner-up trophy – impressive for such a small cohort.

The usual suspects are all here – cricket, rugby, football, tennis, hockey, cross country and athletics – but there’s plenty more on offer. Pupils can try judo, kayaking, basketball, mountain biking, fencing, golf, badminton, squash, and, thanks to the nearby lakes, sailing.

Friday afternoons are devoted to the Friday Options programme, offering a smorgasbord of activities including Cadets and Duke of Edinburgh – perfect for trying something new or honing a passion.

THE ARTS

Like its belief that everyone can be sporty, St James’ also believes everyone can be an artist – whether through music, drama, poetry or the visual arts.

All boys in Years 7 and 8 have a timetabled music lesson each week, backed up by one-to-one instrumental lessons with visiting specialists. In 2026, there are 67 lessons a week – that’s roughly a third of all pupils getting extra musical attention.

There are plenty of opportunities to play in bands, ensembles, and choirs – or even form their own. Performances happen year-round, from formal concerts in the Moot Hall to rock gigs, jazz in the garden, weekly chapel recitals, and rolling exhibitions. Drama works the same way: timetabled for Years 7 and 8, with one big school production each year – most recently, Jesus Christ Superstar.

The Art and Design Tech departments have merged into ADT – and there are bright, flexible studio spaces including a photography studio. The art studios are getting a spruce-up too, with plans for a green wall to add a bit of extra wow-factor.

ACADEMICS

At St James Boys’, academics are undeniably strong – but they’re just one part of the picture. Equally important is the boys’ growth physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Mindfulness is woven into daily life and forms a key part of the PSHE and philosophy curriculum, timetabled from Years 7–11 to help pupils reflect, grow, and build resilience.

The school also runs a pupil development programme, Stepping into Adulthood, designed to support boys throughout their school years – particularly as Year 8s prepare to move into Year 9. It focuses on emotional, spiritual, and academic readiness, including guidance around GCSE options.

GCSEs are spread over three years rather than the usual two, giving boys extra time to dive deeper into their subjects and build a broader understanding.

STEM is a clear strength, with maths and the sciences taught as separate subjects from Year 7 rather than as combined double or triple science. Classical languages also get plenty of attention, with Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit on offer – the latter is believed to be unique to St James. DT and economics are also popular choices. Pupils are set from Year 7 in maths, English and languages – although it’s fluid with plenty of movement.

Expectations are high, but the school isn’t a pressure cooker. It’s all about each boy’s personal journey: setting goals, tracking progress, and taking ownership of his own learning along the way.

SIXTH FORM

St James Boys’ Sixth Form is small, focused, and really lets pupils take ownership of their final school years. Most students take three A Levels (or four if they include further maths), and about half also tackle an EPQ, giving them a chance to dive deep into a subject of their own choosing.

Academic results are solid: in 2025, 22% of grades were A*/A, with 52% at A*-B. 7–9 (A–A*), with 76% achieving 5–9 (C–A*). These strong outcomes translate into impressive university destinations, with leavers heading to institutions including Oxford, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter, and Sheffield.

LEARNING SUPPORT

SEND support at St James Boys’ is strong, with a number of pupils receiving help for dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other learning differences. The aim is always to meet most needs within the classroom, through high-quality teaching and, in some subjects, the support of Learning Support Assistants.

When a pupil needs something a bit more tailored, the Learning Support department steps in with small-group interventions or one-to-one tutorials, ensuring every boy gets the guidance he needs to thrive academically.

PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral care is possibly St James Boys’ biggest superpower – it’s woven through every level of school life. Being a relatively small school is a huge bonus: every boy is known by staff, from the dinner ladies to the senior leadership team, whether they’ve taught them or not.

Mindfulness is central to the school’s approach, so alongside practical support, boys are encouraged to pause, reflect, and develop self-awareness. Daily quiet moments, timetabled PSHE and philosophy lessons, and the overall contemplative ethos help nurture resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Day-to-day pastoral care is overseen by heads of year and the head of pastoral care, all trained mental health first aiders. But for most boys, their first port of call is their form tutor – someone they see every day and know well.

The school also has a nurse, a counsellor, and four ELSAs (emotional literacy support assistants), plus a lunchtime chill’n’chat group where boys can go to talk, relax and reset. There’s also a buddy system that pairs each Year 7 with a Year 8 and a Sixth Former.

And if that’s not enough, the school was recognised in 2025 with an Gold Anchored Schools Safeguarding Award by Anchored Schools, a nationally recognised organisation known for its expertise in safeguarding excellence.

As you can see, wellbeing isn’t an add-on. It’s a constant, quietly impressive part of the every-day culture.

THE HEAD

Rick Clarke, head at St James Ashford, Surrey.

Rick Clarke arrived at St James Boys’ in September 2024, most recently coming from Kingswood School where he had a short stint back teaching, and before that from Frensham Heights School near Farnham, where he was head for five years. His career also includes roles at Cheltenham College, Brighton College, Wellington College, and Warminster School, where he was deputy head.

Born and educated in South Africa, Rick is the kind of educator who sees the whole child, not just the grades. He’s passionate about holistic education and developing personal character – and believes every pupil has unique strengths and potential. Ambitious for every child, he aims to help students discover and stretch their capabilities and passions.

Rick experiences St James Boys’ from both sides of the fence: his son attends the school, and he also has a daughter. Married to Natalie, an artist and former educator, he lives on site and is a keen runner.

Impressively, he still finds time to get in front of pupils in the classroom, teaching philosophy – putting into practice exactly the holistic, reflective approach he champions.

QUIRKS

Where to start? The mandatory meditation, the daily pause, or the fully vegetarian menu? None of these are exactly “quirky” in the wider world – but in an all-boys’ school, they definitely stand out.

CO-CURRICULAR

Life at St James Boys’ isn’t all lessons and exams. There’s a huge range of activities happening before school, at lunchtime, and after school. Pupils can dive into sports, music, drama, art, and clubs that spark curiosity and creativity. Bands, ensembles, and choirs are thriving, and full-scale drama productions give boys the chance to shine on stage.

Outdoor adventure is just as big a part of life here. From kayaking, sailing, and mountain biking to the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) from Year 9 and the Duke of Edinburgh awards programme, there’s plenty of choice.

The CCF is particularly popular with boys, and a real point of pride. The Cadets achieved success at the prestigious Nijmegen Marches in the Netherlands in 2024, where they were awarded “Best Army Cadet Unit.”

Trips are a key part of the experience at St James, with one week every year dedicated to a whole-year-group journey. Past destinations include The Peak District, Greece, Lucca and Florence in Italy, and annual ski trips in France. One of the most popular adventures is the Year 9 pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in Spain. It’s a literal journey of discovery for the boys.

In 2025, the school even scooped “School Trip of the Year” at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards.

ISI REPORT

The most recent ISI inspection was October 2023 when the school was found to meet all relevant standards. Read the full report here.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Mobile phones must be kept in lockers or school bags and are not to be used during the school day. Any phone seen or heard will be confiscated and held at reception. Pupils use iPads to support their learning.

TRANSPORT

More than half of St James’ pupils travel by public transport, helped by the super-handy Ashford Station across the road. The school also runs six busses covering Old Windsor, Ealing, Kingston, Walton, Barnes & Richmond, and Kensington and Isleworth.

FEES: 2025-26

Fees are £9,515 per term (including VAT), which covers lunch. The school offers scholarships, with awards available for Sport, Drama, Art, Music and Academics, as well as means-tested bursaries.

WORD ON THE GROUND

St James Boys’ is praised for its nurturing, supportive environment where pupils really thrive – especially those coming from high-pressure schools. Parents highlight the school’s strong sports programme, the popular Cadets, and the way boys leave polite, confident, and well-rounded.

Many parents also value the inclusivity and the individual attention each boy receives. One parent told us the school “worked wonders” for her dyslexic son. Others also praised the excellent pastoral and academic support on offer.

Good for: Families looking for a nurturing, inclusive environment where boys can thrive academically, socially, and personally. Ideal for those who value mindfulness, wellbeing, and a broad co-curricular programme.

Not for: Parents seeking a traditional, exam-obsessed school or a highly selective, large-cohort environment. Less suited to families wanting a strictly conventional boys’-only education in the long term.

Dare to disagree? See it for yourself. The next open event is Wed 11 March. Book here.

St James Boys’, Church Road, Ashford, TW15 3DZ. Tel: 01784 266 930. stjamesschools.co.uk/seniorboys

St James Senior Boys’ School, Ashford

You may also like