Bader Primary School

About Bader Primary School

Bader Primary School in Stockton-on-Tees is a state-funded, mixed primary school for children aged 2 to 11, currently home to 280 pupils against a capacity of 350. The school serves a community with a notably high level of disadvantage: 47.7% of its pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average and a clear marker of the demographic it supports. Demand for places is strong — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 40 applications for 22 places, with all 22 first-preference families receiving offers, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.82. This suggests that despite its capacity headroom, Bader is a popular choice among local families. The school does not have a religious character and offers nursery provision, making it an accessible option for families seeking early years education within the state system.

Academically, Bader Primary achieves mixed results. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 61% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — slightly below the Stockton-on-Tees local authority average of 66%. The school ranks 34th out of 55 primary schools in the borough, placing it in the bottom half locally. However, individual subject scores tell a more nuanced story: average reading and maths scores sit at 104 and 103 respectively, both above the national benchmark of 100. A higher proportion of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading (73%) and maths (76%) than in writing (73%), though only 6% reached the higher standard in writing. In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2014, the school was rated Good overall, with Good leadership and management. A subsequent ungraded inspection in 2021 confirmed the school remains Good, a notable improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2013.

The school offers a solid range of facilities, including a sensory room, art studios, music rooms, an ICT suite, sports hall, playing fields and a chapel. Sports provision covers football, netball, athletics, tennis, cross country and cricket, while clubs include book club, choir, gardening, film club, chess and eco club. Bader has identified SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties (including dyslexia), social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. For families seeking a nearby Outstanding-rated alternative, St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Primary School is 1.8 km away. Bader is best suited to families who value a well-resourced, inclusive primary with strong early years provision and a clear focus on supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds, though those prioritising top-tier academic outcomes may want to explore higher-ranked peers in the borough.

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