SchoolScoresSkerne Park Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of ADVANCE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Coleridge Gardens, Darlington, DL1 5AJ
01325 380831 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 18 June 2024.
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
26 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
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 12th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 7% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 96% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 12th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 7% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 11th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 7% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 93% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 16 parents whose child had been bullied 7th highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 36% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 64% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 21 parents who had raised a concern 12th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 9% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 85% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 12th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 15% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77%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
40 pupils in this year group.
35% — 27 points below the Darlington average, and 27 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 35% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 5% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 45% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 55% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 53% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 98 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 99 | 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 17 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 15 |
| Of those, offered a place | 15 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 30 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 97% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 60.6% | 29.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 8th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 64% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.8% | 3.3%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 94% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 26.3% | 14.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 58% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.2% | 11.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 28th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 2% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.5% | 5.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 28th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 3% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 27.1% | 14.8%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 29th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 1% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 24.1 | 3.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 29th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 1% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 9.0% | 1.5% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 1.50% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 17th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 49% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.5 | 21.7 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 97% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 15.4 | 11.2 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 28 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 93% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 34.6% | 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
- The Rydal Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 46% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Augustine's Catholic Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John's CofE Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Teresa's Catholic Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 85% met expected standard (KS2)
- Abbey Infants' School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Firthmoor Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Abbey Junior School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Corporation Road Community Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Heathfield Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Reid Street Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Skerne Park Academy's Ofsted rating?
Skerne Park Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 18 June 2024.
How did Skerne Park Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 35% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 27 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Skerne Park Academy?
77% of the 26 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Skerne Park Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Skerne Park Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 15 families put Skerne Park Academy as their first choice for 17 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 15 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 139195.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- 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.