Pallister Park Primary School

About Pallister Park Primary School

Pallister Park Primary School sits well below the Middlesbrough local authority average for Key Stage 2 outcomes, with just 47% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined against a borough average of 62%. That 15-point gap places the school 32nd out of 41 primary schools in the area, firmly in the bottom half of the league table. The picture is starker still at the top end: only 4% of pupils achieved the higher standard in all three subjects, and the school ranks in the bottom 50% nationally on this measure. These figures reflect a context of significant disadvantage — 68.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, more than three times the national average — and the school’s most recent graded inspection in 2019 rated it Good overall, a downgrade from its previous Outstanding rating in 2013.

Digging into the individual subject scores, maths stands out as the strongest area: 66% of pupils met the expected standard and 19% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 102. Reading was weaker, with 54% at expected and the same 19% at higher, but an average score of 101. Writing lagged behind, with 71% at expected but only 6% hitting the higher mark. The school has no published Progress 8 data, so it is difficult to say how much value it adds relative to pupils’ starting points. In its 2024 ungraded inspection, Ofsted confirmed the school remains Good, though early years provision was judged as Requires Improvement — a specific area of concern for the youngest children. The leadership and management, as well as overall effectiveness, were both rated Good in the 2019 graded inspection.

The school is significantly oversubscribed: for 2025/26, it received 81 applications for 57 places, with all 57 first-preference applicants offered a spot, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.42. This suggests strong local demand despite the middling results. Facilities are generous for a primary, including a sports hall, gymnasium, sensory room, library, ICT suite, playing fields and even a chapel. The sports programme covers dance, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, netball, rounders and cross country, while clubs include drama, eco club, coding and choir. SEND provision is broad, covering dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social/emotional/mental health needs, speech and language difficulties, hearing impairment, physical disability and other needs. This is a large school — 637 pupils against a capacity of 525 — with nursery provision from age two, and it will suit families who prioritise a supportive, inclusive environment over headline academic scores.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Pallister Park Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents