SchoolScoresSt Bede's Catholic Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of BISHOP HOGARTH CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Kingsway, Thompson Street East, Darlington, DL1 3ES
01325 466411 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 3 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
58 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 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 Joint 7th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 47% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 96% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 6th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 8th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 57% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 93% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 15 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 89% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 64% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 45 parents who had raised a concern Joint 4th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 68% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 85% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 8th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 57% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93%said yes | 94% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 18%). 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
42 pupils in this year group.
64% — 2 points above the Darlington average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 64% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 5% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 67% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 86% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 81% | 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. | 106 | 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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 45 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 49 |
| Of those, offered a place | 43 (88%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 92 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.1
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 22nd highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.4% | 29.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 28th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 13% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.3% | 3.3%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th 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 14th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 46% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.1% | 11.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 13th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 75% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.2% | 5.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 76% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.5% | 14.8%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 27th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 20% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 4.1 | 3.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 23rd lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 26% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 8th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 72% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.5 | 21.7 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 7th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 90% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 13.8 | 11.2 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 19th highest of 28 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 31% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 7.6% | 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
- Harrowgate Hill Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- Springfield Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Northwood Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Whinfield Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gurney Pease Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Red Hall Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 25% met expected standard (KS2)
- Corporation Road Community Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Reid Street Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Heathfield Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Bede's Catholic Primary School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 3 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Bede's Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 64% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 2 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Bede's Catholic Primary School?
93% of the 58 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Bede's Catholic Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Bede's Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 49 families put St Bede's Catholic Primary School as their first choice for 45 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 43 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 138523.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 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.