Gurney Pease Academy
Darlington, DL1 2NG · Darlington · primary school
Check the area around this school
18th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.0/10 against 1,084 of them, against 6.5/10 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 | 73.0 · 73 | 40% | 2.93 |
| Ofsted | 6 | 35% | 0.21 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Gurney Pease Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 73.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.5 out of 10 against all schools). The most recent inspection took place in February 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 191 pupils against a stated capacity of 274. 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 new report-card framework affect day-to-day teaching priorities? What specific support is available for pupils who have not yet reached the expected standard?
What Ofsted said about Gurney Pease Academy
Overview
Gurney Pease Academy provides a "safe, nurturing environment" where pupils develop a "secure sense of belonging" and behave well. While attendance is improving and pastoral care is highly successful, the report identifies that teaching quality and pupil achievement are inconsistent, requiring further work to ensure sustained improvement.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are actively identified and managed.
- Pupils enjoy school, follow clear rules, and bullying is "rare" and dealt with quickly.
- Early years provision is strong, with staff providing "warm, nurturing support" and prioritising language development.
- Inclusion is prioritised, with effective support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Pastoral care is a "highly successful feature," supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing effectively.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure staff teach consistently well, particularly in checking pupils’ understanding to close knowledge gaps.
- Gaps in foundational knowledge of phonics, reading, writing, and mathematics need to be addressed quickly.
- The wider curriculum must be designed consistently to build precisely on early years learning.
- Pupils need to develop a consistently sophisticated understanding of fundamental British values and world religions.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 56% |
| 2023/24 | 40% |
| 2024/25 | 73% |
| 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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