St John's Church of England Academy
Darlington, DL1 4UB · Darlington · primary school
Check the area around this school
2nd 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 — 7.9/10 against 1,921 of them, against 6.6/10 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 | 70.0 · 65 | 40% | 2.61 |
| Ofsted | 96 | 35% | 3.37 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 25% | 1.65 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St John's Church of England Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 70.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 10.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in November 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the KS2 Engineering Club, KS2 Fashion Club, and football teams for both girls and boys. The school hosts a Dance Festival in 2026 and organises trips to Raby Castle for Year 3 and Seahouses for Year 6. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 249 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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
Since the last inspection was in 2022, what changes have been made to the curriculum since then? How do the engineering and fashion clubs integrate with the daily timetable for Key Stage 2 pupils?
What Ofsted said about St John's Church of England Academy
Overview
Pupils “flourish” at this school, benefiting from a “calm and productive” atmosphere where staff maintain “high expectations.” The report describes a setting where pupils achieve “extremely well” and demonstrate “exceptional” behaviour, underpinned by a “rich, inclusive and ambitious curriculum.”
Strengths
- The curriculum is “designed... with the pupils’ needs at its heart,” enabling pupils to “make links between learning in different subjects.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive “expert support” and “achieve extremely well across the curriculum.”
- “Highly effective phonics teaching” ensures pupils who struggle with reading “catch up quickly with their peers.”
- The “wider personal development curriculum” is “planned and sequenced with precision,” fostering respect and community engagement.
- Staff work together with a “strong culture of mutual respect and teamwork” to achieve the best outcomes.
Areas to improve
- In the early years, classroom activities are “changed too soon,” meaning children “do not get enough chance to practise and refine their skills.”
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with leaders supporting vulnerable families “highly effectively” and pupils knowing how to keep themselves safe both inside and outside school.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 80% |
| 2023/24 | 60% |
| 2024/25 | 70% |
| 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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