Abbey Junior School
Darlington, DL3 8NN · Darlington · primary school
Check the area around this school
8th of 27 primary schools in Darlington we can score, 29 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,978 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.5/10 among them, against 7.2/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 77.0 · 82 | 40% | 3.28 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Abbey Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 77.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 8.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.5 out of 10 among them, against 7.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Lingotots, Dance, and TSC clubs, participate in crafts, and access both breakfast and after-school clubs.
Getting in
The published school roll is 362 pupils against a stated capacity of 360. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What specific support is available for pupils who do not reach the expected standard? How are the breakfast and after-school clubs structured to support daily routines?
What Ofsted said about Abbey Junior School
Overview
Abbey Junior School continues to be a good school, where pupils are described as "happy and polite" within a "strong sense of community." Leaders maintain high aspirations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring they are well prepared for the next stage of their education.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well in "calm and purposeful" classrooms, feel safe, and trust staff to resolve concerns.
- Leaders have developed an "ambitious and broad curriculum," with strong teaching in mathematics and a successfully cultivated "love of reading."
- Staff provide clear support for pupils with SEND, using strategies such as breaking activities into "smaller chunks."
- Pupils enthusiastically take up leadership roles, such as ‘eco warriors’, and demonstrate positive attitudes towards equality and inclusion.
- Staff feel valued and well supported, while governors effectively hold leaders to account.
Areas to improve
- In some curriculum areas, leaders have not fully identified essential knowledge and skills, causing teachers to lack clarity on what to prioritise.
- Leaders do not thoroughly check how well pupils learn the curriculum in some subjects, meaning gaps in knowledge may go unnoticed.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and leaders working with external agencies to provide appropriate support when necessary.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 74% |
| 2023/24 | 62% |
| 2024/25 | 77% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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