South Stanley Junior School
Stanley, DH9 6PZ · County Durham · primary school
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41st 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 — 9.1/10 against 536 of them, against 7.4/10 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 | 74.0 · 76 | 40% | 3.02 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 11.0 · 71 | 25% | 1.77 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
South Stanley Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 74.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 11.0% achieved it, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 146 pupils against a stated capacity of 208. 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 in reaching the higher standard in maths? What does a typical day look like for a child in Year 6?
What Ofsted said about South Stanley Junior School
Overview
South Stanley Junior School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, marking an improvement from its previous ‘Requires improvement’ rating. Pupils experience a ‘warm sense of belonging’ within an ‘orderly and calm’ environment where bullying is rare and staff know families well. The school prepares pupils effectively for the next stage of their education, with academic results in reading, writing, and mathematics exceeding local and national averages.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘ambitious and well sequenced’, particularly in science, with clear progression of knowledge.
- Teachers use modelling ‘consistently well’, employing approaches like ‘I do, we do, you do’ to support understanding.
- Reading is a strong feature, with an ‘appropriate phonics programme’ taught ‘consistently well’ and pupils enjoying a wide variety of genres.
- Leaders have ‘high aspirations for all pupils’, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Staff are ‘overwhelmingly positive’ about leadership support, valuing professional opportunities and well-being strategies.
Areas to improve
- Strategies to help pupils remember the curriculum over time are ‘implemented inconsistently’, meaning some pupils struggle to recall previously taught content.
- Questioning in lessons lacks rigour; teachers do not ‘consistently check precisely enough what pupils know and remember’ or encourage deeper thinking.
- There is variation in developing pupils’ ‘character, confidence and independence’, with some requiring additional support in academic and social situations.
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 | 66% |
| 2023/24 | 63% |
| 2024/25 | 74% |
| 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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