SchoolScoresMowden Junior School
Academy · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed
Part of NORTHERN ARCH LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Conyers Avenue, Darlington, DL3 9DE
01325 380820 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 9 June 2026 , published 14 July 2026.
In short: 3 strong, 3 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
86 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 | 86% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 80% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 86% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 23rd highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 31% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.5% | 29.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 10th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 53% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.1% | 3.3%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 23rd highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 22% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.4% | 14.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 21st highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 27% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.8% | 11.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 94% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.4% | 5.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 97% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 14.8%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 66% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.3 | 3.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 64% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.3% | 1.5% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 77% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.0 | 21.7 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 94% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 14.4 | 11.2 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 28 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 66% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 17.3% | 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
- Mowden Infant School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023
- St Mary's Cockerton CofE Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 37% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Abbey Junior School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mount Pleasant Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Abbey Infants' School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Reid Street Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- West Park Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Augustine's Catholic Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Corporation Road Community Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Mowden Junior School's Ofsted rating?
Mowden Junior School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 9 June 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 3 strong, 3 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Mowden Junior 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%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 138176.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.