Richard Alibon Primary School with ARP for Cognitive and Learning Difficulties : SEN Base
90%
Capacity
607
Pupils
2.4x
Demand
About Richard Alibon Primary School with ARP for Cognitive and Learning Difficulties : SEN Base
Richard Alibon Primary School with ARP for Cognitive and Learning Difficulties : SEN Base holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, a grade it has maintained consistently across both its recent inspections. The school’s most telling academic metric is its Key Stage 2 performance in reading, writing and maths combined: 71% of pupils met the expected standard, which is comfortably above the Barking and Dagenham local authority average of 65%. That places Richard Alibon 11th out of 39 primary schools in the borough, putting it in the top 28% locally. The school also scores well on individual subjects, with 86% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading and 83% in maths. Higher-attaining pupils are less common here — just 4% achieved the higher standard in all three subjects — but the school’s focus appears to be on solid, consistent progress across the board.
Ofsted’s breakdown of the 2023 inspection is particularly revealing. While the overall effectiveness and quality of education are both rated Good, the school earned Outstanding grades for personal development and for behaviour and attitudes. That suggests a school where children feel safe, supported and motivated — not just academically but socially and emotionally too. The early years provision is also rated Good. The school has a dedicated ARP (Additionally Resourced Provision) for cognitive and learning difficulties, and its SEND provisions cover a wide range of needs including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health support. With 25.2% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse community and seems to be delivering strong results relative to its intake.
The school is oversubscribed: for 47 places in the 2025/26 intake, it received 112 applications, with 46 first-preference offers made. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 2.38, meaning nearly two and a half families apply for every place. Facilities include a sports hall, library, ICT suite, art studios, music rooms and playing fields, plus a chapel. Sports on offer include cricket, football, tennis and gymnastics, and clubs range from gardening and chess to film and art club. The school also has nursery provision for children from age three. Richard Alibon is a strong, well-regarded local option for families who want a school that balances academic solidity with genuine pastoral care and a broad range of activities, particularly those whose children might benefit from the specialist SEND base.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Alibon Road, Dagenham, Barking and Dagenham, RM10 8DF |
| Headteacher | Andrew Fullagar |
| Local Authority | Barking and Dagenham |
| Number of Pupils | 607 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 25.2% |
| School Capacity | 607 / 678 (90% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
18 Jul 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 28 Sept 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (71%)
3756th of 13,686
Nationally
749th of 1,592
In London
11th of 39
In Barking and Dagenham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
71%
Expected Standard
4%
Higher Standard
'22/23
72%
'23/24
71%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
SEN UnitSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed47
112
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
46 families put this school as their 1st choice (41% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- Asian29.9%
- White British21.7%
- White (other)17.3%
- Black7.9%
- Mixed7.1%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
17
Total schools
15
Oversubscribed
13
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Richard Alibon Primary School with ARP for Cognitive and Learning Difficulties : SEN Base
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Alibon Road, Dagenham
Barking and Dagenham, RM10 8DF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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