Victoria Lane Academy
Bishop Auckland, DL14 8NN · County Durham · primary school
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147th 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 — 3.0/10 against 719 of them, against 2.2/10 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 | 46.0 · 14 | 40% | 0.55 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 4.0 · 35 | 25% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Victoria Lane Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 46.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 4.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils access cookery, crafts, media, photography, and food clubs, alongside multi-sports, trampolining, table tennis, gymnastics, dodgeball, and active families sessions. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 155 pupils against a stated capacity of 240. 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 46.0% expected standard and the 64% national median? What specific strategies are used to raise the 4.0% achieving the higher standard? How does the 2024 inspection feedback influence current teaching practices?
What Ofsted said about Victoria Lane Academy
Overview
Victoria Lane Academy is described as a school where staff know pupils extremely well, fostering a strong sense of community where children are "nurtured and very well cared for." The curriculum is "broad, well planned and clearly sequenced," ensuring pupils, including those with special educational needs, achieve well and are prepared for future learning.
Strengths
- Teachers possess "secure subject knowledge" and provide clear explanations, with assessment embedded into the curriculum to check what pupils know.
- Reading is a high priority; staff are "well trained in the teaching of early reading," and phonics lessons are delivered effectively to build confidence.
- Behaviour is generally calm and orderly, with routines "well embedded" and bullying issues resolved "quickly and efficiently."
- The early years provision offers "well-designed opportunities to play, explore and learn," helping children develop foundational skills and confidence.
- Leaders support staff well-being and workload, while governors "hold school leaders to account" effectively.
Areas to improve
- The school must implement effective systems to "quickly identify and address the barriers to pupils’ non-attendance," as absence rates are currently too high.
- The curriculum needs to be extended to enrich pupils’ "cultural development," as current opportunities to explore the wider world are limited.
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 | 63% |
| 2023/24 | 74% |
| 2024/25 | 46% |
| 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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