Darley Dene Primary School

About Darley Dene Primary School

Darley Dene Primary School in Runnymede is a state-funded, mixed primary for ages 2 to 11 that currently houses 229 pupils, slightly above its official capacity of 210. That squeeze reflects genuine local demand: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 46 applications for just 27 places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 1.7 applicants per spot. Eighteen of those applicants listed it as their first preference, and all 18 were offered a place. The school’s intake is notably more disadvantaged than the Surrey average — 34.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, a figure that stands well above the national primary average of around 23%. This suggests Darley Dene serves a community with higher-than-typical levels of economic need, and the school’s resources and pastoral approach are likely shaped accordingly. Under headteacher Zoë Devonport, the school has clearly rebuilt confidence since its previous Ofsted rating.

Academically, Darley Dene has made a significant turnaround. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2024, the school was rated Good overall, with every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — all scoring 2 (Good). This is a sharp improvement from its previous inspection in 2019, when it was rated Inadequate overall, with leadership and management also marked Inadequate. At Key Stage 2 in the 2023/24 academic year, 62% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That is slightly below the local authority average of 66%, but the school’s reading average score of 105 and maths average of 102 are both solid. Only 4% of pupils achieved the higher standard in maths, and none did so in writing, though 15% reached the higher bar in reading. Nationally, Darley Dene ranks in the 52nd percentile, placing it in the middle of the pack.

The school offers a practical, well-equipped environment with facilities including a forest school, sensory room, music rooms, ICT suite, and a chapel. Sports provision covers athletics, netball, tennis, football and dance, while clubs range from science and coding to chess, drama and gardening. For families with children who have additional needs, Darley Dene has a dedicated SEN unit and provisions for a wide spectrum of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health support. The school also has nursery provision for younger children. Oversubscription means families living closest to the school will have the strongest chance of securing a place. This is a school that has demonstrably improved its standards and now offers a stable, Good-rated option for families in the Runnymede area, particularly those who value strong SEND support and a broad extracurricular offer.

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