A brief history

Saint James Voluntary Aided Primary School was founded over 100 years ago by The Rev. John Venn, Vicar of Saint Peter's Church. Originally the school was sited at Saint Owen's Gate and was known as the Old Bell School.

In 1896 the school moved to its present site where it continued to increase in size until 1908 when a new extension was added to the original structure. Further extensions were added in 1959 and yet more classes were added in the 1980's. Internal improvements to the entrance and office areas were made in 1995. The school retains much of the feel of the original building and although the rooms have been modernised there is much that would be recognised by the earliest pupils.

Until 1981 the school existed as a school for infants only but in 1982 with the re organisation of primary schools within the City of Hereford the school was re-designated and became a primary school. The school is co-educational and admits children from 5 years to 11 years of age. The school has continued to grow from that point and has a current roll of 206 children in 7 classes.