SchoolScoresHoly Family Catholic Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of BISHOP HOGARTH CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Prior Street, Darlington, DL3 9EN
01325 380821 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 12 June 2018.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 19 October 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
59 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Darlington comparisons use the 12 of its 30 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 18 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 96% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 80% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 3rd highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 83% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 93% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 30 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 82% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 85% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 4th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 77% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97%said yes | 94% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Darlington figures pool parents at the Darlington schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
30 pupils in this year group.
77% — 15 points above the Darlington average, and 15 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 77% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 13% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 90% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 90% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 87% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Darlington. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 38 |
| Of those, offered a place | 30 (79%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 114 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.3
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 20th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.6% | 29.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 24th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 23% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.8% | 3.3%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 11th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 57% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.3% | 14.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 12th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 50% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.6% | 11.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 10th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 78% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.1% | 5.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 12th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 66% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 9.1% | 14.8%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 64% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4 | 3.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 60% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4% | 1.5% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 14th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 53% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.9 | 21.7 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 6th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 91% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 13.9 | 11.2 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 12th highest of 28 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 55% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 14.0% | 13.8%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- St Mary's Cockerton CofE Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 37% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mowden Infant School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023
- Mowden Junior School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 3 expected · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mount Pleasant Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Reid Street Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Abbey Junior School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- West Park Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Abbey Infants' School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Corporation Road Community Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Augustine's Catholic Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Holy Family Catholic Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Holy Family Catholic Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 June 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 19 October 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Holy Family Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 77% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 15 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Holy Family Catholic Primary School?
97% of the 59 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Holy Family Catholic Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Holy Family Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 38 families put Holy Family Catholic Primary School as their first choice for 30 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 30 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 139533.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.