Founded in 1880 as a choir school for Grimsby Minster, with strong musical traditions maintained today.
Co-educational independent day school in Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Why this school
Founded in 1880 as a choir school for Grimsby Minster, with strong musical traditions maintained today.
Around 230 students aged 10 to 18, unusually small for a full senior independent school.
Vegetarian lunches included in the published day fee of £28,545 per year (2025/26).
St. James School is a co-educational independent day school in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, taking students from age 10 to 18. It was founded in 1880 as a choir school for what is now Grimsby Minster, and its Church of England affiliation has shaped it ever since. The curriculum has broadened considerably over the years, but the musical heritage remains intact. With around 230 students on roll, the school occupies a distinctly small position among UK independent schools — deliberately so, captured in its own strapline: small school, better results. The most recent ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) report was published in 2025.
Teaching runs from Year 7 through to the sixth form. Students follow GCSE courses in the middle years, then A-levels in Years 12 and 13. Small class sizes across all year groups change how lessons actually work: teachers can respond to individual need more readily, and a student falling behind is harder to miss. The school’s own positioning stresses outcomes over volume, and a roll of 230 supports that structurally. Pupils joining at age 10 also get a year to settle before the formal demands of GCSE begin.
A-level study is available on site through to Year 13, so students do not need to move schools at 16. For families looking at a single long-term placement, that continuity matters.
St. James School is a day school. Its Anglican foundation means chaplaincy sits within the pastoral framework, with the Grimsby Minster connection providing a ceremonial and community dimension to the school calendar. Pastoral care is structured around the school’s size, which lets staff build close knowledge of individual students across year groups. Vegetarian lunches are included in the day fee, and the school day is designed to be self-contained.
The school’s choir-school origins continue to shape its cultural life: music stays central, backed by dedicated music and arts facilities. Drama features in the extracurricular offer alongside sport and a range of clubs and societies. In a community of 230, participation tends to be broad. There are simply fewer students competing for places in ensembles, productions, or teams. The Grimsby Minster connection also creates additional performance and ceremonial opportunities for musically inclined pupils.
The school is located at 22 Bargate in central Grimsby, across a mix of historic buildings and modern classrooms, with dedicated music and arts spaces. Grimsby is a port town in North East Lincolnshire, sitting between the Lincolnshire Wolds and the Humber Estuary. The 2025 ISI inspection provides an independent picture of current provision and standards.
The nearest major airport for international families is Humberside Airport, roughly 10 miles from Grimsby, with connections to several UK hubs. Leeds Bradford and Manchester airports are reachable by road in approximately two hours and two and a half hours respectively, offering broader international connections.
Annual tuition
£28,545 per year · day · Senior · Years 7-13
Other tier breakdowns shown below.
| Stage | Year groups | Type | Audience | Fee / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior | Years 7-13 | Day | — | £28,545 |
Humberside Airport (~10 miles); Manchester Airport ~2.5 hrs by road
You may also like
St. James School takes students from age 10 through to 18, covering Years 6 to 13. Pupils can join before the move to secondary school and stay through to A-level completion.
The school offers GCSEs in the middle years and A-levels in the sixth form (Years 12 and 13). There is no IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma or BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) provision in the current curriculum.
Day fees for senior pupils (Years 7–13) are £9,515 per term, equating to £28,545 per year for 2025/26, inclusive of VAT. Vegetarian lunches are included. International families are required to pay a deposit equivalent to one full term’s fee.
No. St. James School operates as a day school only. There is no boarding provision, whether full, weekly, or flexi.
Yes. The school is affiliated with the Church of England and has historic ties to Grimsby Minster, for which it was originally founded as a choir school in 1880. Chaplaincy is part of the pastoral structure.
The school is inspected by the ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate). The most recent report was published in 2025, covering both academic and pastoral provision.
There are approximately 230 students across all year groups from age 10 to 18. That small roll is a deliberate feature of the school’s approach, enabling closer contact between staff and pupils.
Submit your request and our manager will contact you shortly