Whinney Banks Primary School

About Whinney Banks Primary School

Whinney Banks Primary School sits comfortably above the Middlesbrough local authority average for Key Stage 2, with 72% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths compared with the LA average of 62%. That ten-point gap is a meaningful one, and it places the school 11th out of 41 primary schools in the borough, putting it in the top third locally. The school also ranks in the top 50 nationally for this same metric, which is a solid achievement for a state primary with a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals — 45.8% of the 453-strong roll. What’s particularly striking is that this performance comes after a period of significant improvement. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2025, the school was rated Good overall, a clear step up from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2022. The early years provision was judged Outstanding, and leadership, behaviour, personal development and quality of education all came out as Good.

Digging into the exam results, the school’s strengths are uneven but real. In maths, 83% of pupils hit the expected standard and 37% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 108. Reading was slightly lower: 82% at expected and 20% at the higher level, with an average score of 106. Writing lagged a bit, with 75% at expected and just 7% at the higher level. The combined expected standard of 72% is the headline figure, and it’s worth noting that only 3% of pupils reached the higher standard across all three subjects — a reminder that while the school is strong on getting most children to a solid level, stretching the highest achievers may be an area to watch. Parent feedback is broadly positive: 84% would recommend the school, and 89% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy there. However, 18% disagreed that the school makes them aware of what their child will learn, and 13% disagreed that concerns are dealt with properly, so communication is a minor but notable weak spot.

The school is oversubscribed for 2025/26, with 68 applications for 57 places and 53 first-preference offers, so it’s a popular choice locally. Facilities include an ICT suite, sports hall, playing fields, sensory room and even a chapel, which is unusual for a non-religious school. Clubs cover drama, art and science, and sports include football, athletics, tennis and cricket. The SEND provision is broad, covering dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language issues, visual impairment, physical disability and autism. 32% of responding parents said their child has SEND, and 75% of those agreed or strongly agreed that the school provides the support needed. With a nursery on site and an age range from 2 to 11, this is a school that suits families looking for a strong, improving primary in Middlesbrough, particularly those whose children need extra support or who value a school that has demonstrably turned itself around.

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