Acre Rigg Academy

About Acre Rigg Academy

Acre Rigg Academy is a state primary for children aged 7 to 11 in County Durham, and while it doesn't publish a parent recommendation score, its oversubscription ratio offers a clear signal of local demand. The school has a capacity of 268 pupils and currently enrols 256, meaning it is operating at just over 95% capacity — a practical indicator that places are highly sought after and the school is well-regarded by families in the area. Headteacher Julie Craggs leads a mixed-gender, non-religious school with a notably high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, at 58.2%. In its most recent ungraded inspection in June 2023, Ofsted confirmed that the school remains Good, a rating it has held consistently across its previous graded inspections, including the most recent full inspection in March 2018. The school's leadership and management were also judged Good in that graded inspection, reinforcing a stable and effective environment for its pupils.

Academically, Acre Rigg Academy's Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24 show a mixed picture. The proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined was 54%, which is below the local authority average of 62% for County Durham. This places the school 118th out of 170 primary schools in the LA, putting it in the bottom 50% nationally. Breaking it down by subject, 64% met the expected standard in reading, 65% in maths, and 71% in writing — the latter being the strongest area. At the higher standard, just 3% of pupils achieved the top level across all three subjects, with 13% reaching that level in reading, 9% in maths, and 14% in writing. Average scaled scores were 102 for reading and 101 for maths, both slightly above the national baseline of 100. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it's unclear how much value the school adds relative to pupils' starting points.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, playing fields, a dining hall and a sensory room, the latter being particularly useful for its extensive SEND provisions. These cover specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, physical disabilities, and autistic spectrum disorder — a broad and inclusive offer. Sports include dance, football, gymnastics and cricket, while clubs extend to drama, choir, eco club, chess and coding, giving pupils plenty of enrichment beyond the classroom. For families in County Durham, this is a well-subscribed, Good-rated school with strong pastoral and SEND support, but whose academic outcomes sit below the local average. It will suit parents who prioritise a stable, inclusive environment over headline exam results, and who value the range of extracurricular activities on offer.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Acre Rigg Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents