NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School
Newbiggin-By-the-Sea, NE64 6RT · Northumberland · primary school
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51st of 60 primary schools in Northumberland we can score, 127 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.9/10 against 1,561 of them, against 1.0/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 24.0 · 2 | 40% | 0.06 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 24.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 2.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.0 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Mandarin, Mindfulness, Concert band, T-Lights, Steel Pan Group, and contemporary Christian music clubs. Sports include Yoga, while arts and music features Choir, Musical theatre productions, and Gamelan. Year 6 visits St Bartholomew’s Church. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 372 pupils against a stated capacity of 594. 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 to bridge the gap between the current 24.0% expected standard and the national median? What specific strategies are used to raise the 2.0% higher standard attainment?
What Ofsted said about NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School
Overview
The report describes a school where “everyone is welcome and valued” and pupils are encouraged to “let their light shine.” Leaders have created an ambitious curriculum designed to give pupils the knowledge and aspirations to lead a “life without limits,” with particular success in music and local heritage studies. While the overall effectiveness is rated as Good, the inspection highlights significant challenges regarding attendance and early years writing practice that require attention.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, knowing to “be ready, respectful and safe,” with bullying being “extremely rare.”
- The provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is “holistic and highly effective.”
- Phonics teaching is “consistently effective,” enabling pupils to quickly learn to decode and spell.
- The music curriculum allows all pupils to learn instruments and perform, fostering pride and self-belief.
- Staff feel “well supported and listened to” and are proud to be part of the school community.
Areas to improve
- Attendance figures are “stubbornly low and declining,” meaning too many pupils miss valuable learning opportunities.
- In the early years, children do not have “sufficient opportunity to practise” correct letter formation, leading to errors not addressed consistently.
- In some subjects, such as history and Mandarin, pupils do not consistently remember what they have been taught.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 38% |
| 2024/25 | 24% |
| 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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