Cockton Hill Junior School
Bishop Auckland, DL14 6HW · County Durham · primary school
Check the area around this school
180th of 188 primary schools in County Durham we can score, 208 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 2.7/10 against 719 of them, against 2.0/10 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 | 54.0 · 26 | 40% | 1.03 |
| Ofsted | 6 | 35% | 0.22 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cockton Hill Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.0 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Quiz Club, Singing Club, Science Club, Maths Games, and Community Links Club. Sports include hockey, tag rugby, gymnastics, football, invasion games, and cricket. Yoga and mindfulness sessions are also available. Both a breakfast club and an after-school club operate on site.
Getting in
The published school roll is 187 pupils against a stated capacity of 244. 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
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific areas did the March 2026 inspection highlight for improvement?
What Ofsted said about Cockton Hill Junior School
Overview
Cockton Hill Junior School is described as a “welcoming and nurturing” environment where pupils are happy, behave well, and feel safe. While attendance has improved and the school fosters an inclusive culture, the report identifies that teaching is not yet consistently effective across all subjects, resulting in pupil attainment that remains below the national average.
Strengths
- Leaders have established consistent routines, leading to improved attendance and few pupils being persistently absent.
- The school maintains a “positive, friendly atmosphere” with respectful relationships; bullying is rare and pupils feel confident reporting concerns.
- Leaders work effectively with external agencies to support vulnerable groups, including pupils new to English and those with special educational needs.
- Pupils develop a strong understanding of personal development topics, including online safety, mental wellbeing, and “fundamental British Values”.
- Staff are considerate of workload and wellbeing, with inspectors noting staff pride in working at the school.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teaching is consistently effective across all subjects, particularly in writing, where pupils lack foundational knowledge for fluent communication.
- Assessment systems in wider subjects need to be established so teachers have a clear picture of pupil knowledge to build secure understanding.
- Governors should receive suitable information on the impact of improvement actions to rigorously challenge and support leaders.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed to ensure pupils are safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 33% |
| 2023/24 | 41% |
| 2024/25 | 54% |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of DL14 6HW, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT