Ridgeway Primary Academy
South Shields, NE34 8AB · South Tyneside · primary school
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38th of 38 primary schools in South Tyneside we can score, 45 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 — 2.6/10 against 1,269 of them, against 2.2/10 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 | 51.0 · 21 | 40% | 0.83 |
| Ofsted | 6 | 35% | 0.21 |
| 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.
Ridgeway Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 51.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 2.0% of pupils, 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 (2.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in February 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Academy Football and attend trips to Beamish, Cleadon Park Library, the Oriental Museum, and Adventure Valley. A breakfast club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 452 pupils against a stated capacity of 472. 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 steps are taken to raise attainment in writing? How does the new Ofsted framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Ridgeway Primary Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils feel safe and belong to a "caring community," with strong support for wellbeing and special educational needs. However, leaders’ "clear and ambitious vision for pupils' education is not fully realised," resulting in inconsistent achievement and gaps in foundational knowledge. While early years provision is effective, teaching quality and curriculum implementation require significant improvement to ensure all pupils are well prepared for their next stage of education.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility."
- Pupils benefit from "extensive" wellbeing support, including a full-time counsellor and 'regulation stations'.
- The early years curriculum is "very well designed," with high-quality phonics teaching and stimulating staff interactions.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "extremely well supported" by experienced staff.
- Attendance has improved over time, with leaders taking "effective action to address absence concerns."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure gaps in foundational skills, notably "reading fluency and handwriting," close rapidly.
- Staff need to accurately identify what pupils already know to make effective teaching choices and avoid lost learning time.
- School improvement priorities must precisely identify underlying causes of weaknesses and be acted upon consistently.
Safeguarding
The report states that "safeguarding standards are met," meaning leaders have established an open culture where concerns are actively identified, acted upon, and managed, ensuring 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 | 52% |
| 2023/24 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 51% |
| 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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