Our St James Schools form a closely-knit, inclusive and diverse community.
Upon entering the school, all pupils will join one of our four houses: Churchill, Wellington, Marlborough or Nelson. In the 6th form pupils will have the opportunity to utilise their leadership skills by applying to become one of our four House Captains.
Every year, we run several house competitions in a variety of areas such as music, rugby, cricket, football and, at the end of the academic year, our highly-anticipated Sports Day.
We host regular house dinners and quiz nights which enables pupils to get to know members of their house in different year groups.
Our pupils benefit from working with our sister school in Kensington, Olympia for activities such as lectures, debates, musical production and a variety of social events.
Each year we also host a Harry Potter Day for the Year 4 pupils of our Prep School and an Activity Day for the Year 5 pupils.
Our parents are an integral part of our community, whether cheering on our sports teams at away games or baking for a charity cake sale. Their dedication reflects a deep investment in the success of our school and the students. This strong sense of community is at the heart of our ethos, fostering kindness, unity, and shared purpose.
The Friends of St James serves as the social and fundraising arm of all St James Schools, led by a committee of parents and supported by a network of Parent Class Coordinators. Throughout the year, parent volunteers, alongside our Development Office, organise a variety of events and initiatives—from regular Prep School cake sales to larger gatherings like the Friends Christmas Fair. These events not only bring our community together but also raise funds to enhance learning and recreational facilities and contribute to the Schools’ Bursary Fund.
St James Senior Boys’ School is dedicated to fostering a culture of service and social responsibility through a range of community action initiatives. Students actively participate in charitable fundraising, with events like the Three Peaks Challenge and the Marlborough House Dinner raising significant funds for causes such as Harefield Hospital and Cancer Research UK. Community outreach programs, including partnerships with local primary schools and festive choir services, help strengthen local ties. Volunteering plays a key role in school life, with students engaging in activities such as assisting the elderly, supporting the homeless, and coaching sports. The school’s commitment to service extends to its Combined Cadet Force (CCF), which has earned national recognition for achievements like the Nijmegen Four-Day Marches. Through these initiatives, St James instills in its students a deep sense of duty, leadership, and compassion, preparing them to make a meaningful impact on society.
Watch our recent community choir service
The Seventh Form is run by our Development Office, and is an active member of our school community, which organises social events such as Alumni Matches, Art Sales or networking evenings.
You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date.
The Pause
At St James, we feel it is important to introduce our pupils to stillness and allow them to discover how to be inwardly free and deeply at ease within themselves. A short period of 5-10 minutes at the beginning and middle of every day is allocated to quietude in which pupils may meditate, contemplate or simply be still – according to their own spiritual inclinations.