SchoolScoresStephenson Way Academy and Nursery School
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of TUDHOE LEARNING TRUST
Stephenson Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 7DD
01325 300324 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 18 October 2022.
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.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
42 pupils in this year group.
29% — 33 points below the County Durham average, and 33 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 29% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 2% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 48% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 55% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 48% | 73% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 100 | 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 County Durham. 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 | 27 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 26 |
| Of those, offered a place | 26 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 51 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
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 | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 10 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 99% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 69.7% | 35.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 10 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 32% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.2% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 10 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 83% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.6% | 18.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 2nd highest of 10 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 50% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.8% | 5.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Lower than 3% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.4% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Lower than 2% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 30.5% | 13.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Lower than 2% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 16.5 | 3.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Lower than 6% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.8% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.32% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 10 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 51% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.7 | 20.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 10 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 24% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.2 | 10.1 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 9 state primary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 69% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 18.3% | 13.1%* | 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 Joseph's Catholic Primary School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- Woodham Burn Community Primary School and Nursery 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2021, before conversion) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Francis Horndale CofE Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 25% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sugar Hill Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Byerley Park Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Newton Aycliffe 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- Vane Road Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Aycliffe Village Primary and Nursery School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019, before conversion) · 85% met expected standard (KS2)
- Heighington CofE Primary School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John's CofE Aided Primary School, Shildon 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery School's Ofsted rating?
Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 18 October 2022.
How did Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 29% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 33 points below the England average of 62%.
Is Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 26 families put Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery School as their first choice for 27 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 26 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 138556.
- 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.