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St Bede's Catholic Primary School

Darlington, DL1 3ESPrimaryAges 3–11MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
Dec 2024
KS2 Results
63%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
39 1st-choice / 39 places
Ranking
#6,674
of 13,686 nationally

About St Bede's Catholic Primary School

St Bede's Catholic Primary School in Darlington is a Roman Catholic state primary for children aged 3 to 11, and it is currently oversubscribed. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 76 applications for just 39 places, with all 39 first-preference applicants being offered a spot, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.95. The school currently has 320 pupils on roll against a capacity of 289, meaning it is operating above its official capacity. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 13.9 per cent, which is below the national average for primary schools. This combination of high demand and a relatively low FSM intake suggests a school that is popular with local families, particularly those within the Catholic community, and one where places are competitive.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range3 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterRoman Catholic
AddressKingsway, Darlington, Darlington, DL1 3ES
HeadteacherLaura Cuff
Local AuthorityDarlington
Number of Pupils320
Free School Meals (FSM)13.9%
School Capacity320 / 289 (111% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

What 58 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

3 Dec 2024
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 23 Jan 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

7
Forest SchoolGymnasiumSensory RoomDining HallMusic RoomsOutdoor PlaygroundChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

11

Sports

AthleticsRoundersSwimmingTennisDanceCross Country

Clubs & Activities

CodingArt ClubGardeningDramaBook Club

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismMental HealthSpeech & LanguageOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About St Bede's Catholic Primary School

St Bede's Catholic Primary School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.