St Bede's Catholic Primary School
111%
Capacity
320
Pupils
1.9x
Demand
About St Bede's Catholic Primary School
St Bede's Catholic Primary School is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Darlington community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 320 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (111% of 289 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Bede's Catholic Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Laura Cuff, it falls under Darlington local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 63% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — close to the national average. Additionally, ranked 6674th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 14th out of 26 in Darlington.
St Bede's Catholic Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 76 applications for 39 places, making it 1.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 39 were first-preference applications.
St Bede's Catholic Primary School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 93% recommending the school (58 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 4 areas, including Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and 1 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Bede's Catholic Primary School include Forest School, Gymnasium, Sensory Room, Dining Hall, Music Rooms, Outdoor Playground, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Rounders, Swimming, Tennis and 2 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Art Club, Gardening, Drama and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 13.9%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Darlington, St Bede's Catholic Primary School is one of the options available in the North East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Kingsway, Darlington, Darlington, DL1 3ES |
| Headteacher | Laura Cuff |
| Local Authority | Darlington |
| Number of Pupils | 320 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 13.9% |
| School Capacity | 320 / 289 (111% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
3 Dec 2024Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 23 Jan 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (63%)
6674th of 13,686
Nationally
353rd of 677
In North East
14th of 26
In Darlington
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
63%
Expected Standard
6%
Higher Standard
'22/23
44%
'23/24
63%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
58 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed39
76
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
39 families put this school as their 1st choice (51% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Bede's Catholic Primary School
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
Kingsway, Darlington
Darlington, DL1 3ES
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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