Darlington
Skerne Park Academy
Close to home and non-selective, but attainment sits below the national average and the last inspection asked for improvement.
What the data says
Published data, read plainly. It tells you what to check next; it does not guarantee a place or replace your local authority’s admissions guidance.
35% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths — significantly below the national average of around 61%. Progress and context measures may still show positive value-added.
- 35%
- Expected standard (R+W+M)
- 5%
- Higher standard (R+W+M)
- 2024/2025
- Academic year
KS2 progress scores (reading, writing, maths progress) are not yet surfaced in this summary. Check the performance table section below.
Admissions realism depends on your home postcode and the school's published allocation data. Enter your postcode on this page to get a more specific assessment, and always verify the latest policy on the school's official admissions page.
What to do next
- Verify the school's official admissions policy
- Book an open day or school visit
- Add this school to your shortlist and compare with backup options
Admissions and catchment
Council allocation figures
Add a postcode to see where you would sit against past cut-offs.
We have not collected Darlington council’s allocation figures for this school yet. We only show a verdict when we can cite the council’s published figures. Check Darlington’s allocation booklet, or the school’s website.
Applications and offers
National offer day figures that councils report to the Department for Education. These are counts only: they do not show how far away the last child offered a place lived.
Reception entry
| Year of entry | Places offered | Put it first | First choices offered | Applications (any preference) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 17 | 15 | 15 (100%) | 30 |
| September 2025 | 31 | 30 | 30 (100%) | 46 |
| September 2024 | 28 | 28 | 28 (100%) | 40 |
| September 2023 | 30 | 30 | 30 (100%) | 34 |
| September 2022 | 31 | 30 | 30 (100%) | 36 |
Source: Department for Education: Primary and secondary school applications and offers, Academic year 2026/27, school-level data, published 18 June 2026. “–” means the figure was not published. The council’s own allocation figures are the official record: check Darlington’s admissions page for cut-off distances, the admission rules and this year’s dates.
KS2 results history
| Year | Pupils | Expected % | Higher % | Reading | Writing | Maths | Read score | Maths score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/2025 | — | 35.0% | 5.0% | 45.0% | 55.0% | 53.0% | 98.0 | 99.0 |
| 2023/2024 | — | 15.0% | 0.0% | 38.0% | 19.0% | 38.0% | 95.0 | 96.0 |
| 2022/2023 | — | 44.0% | 5.0% | 56.0% | 60.0% | 56.0% | 101.0 | 99.0 |
Nearby and similar schools
Other primary schools in Darlington for local comparison.
School information
| URN | 139195 |
| Local authority | Darlington |
| Region | North East |
| Phase | Primary |
| Type | Academy sponsor led |
| Gender of entry | Mixed |
| Age range | 2-11 |
| Headteacher | Clair Gooding |
| Trust | ADVANCE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP |
| Admissions | Not applicable |
| Religious character | Does not apply |
| Postcode | DL1 5AJ |
| Latest pupils | 266 |
| FSM eligible | 59.1% |
Contact and identifiers
Coleridge Gardens, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 5AJ
www.skernepark.org.ukView local authority page1325380831| DfE number | 2006 |
| UKPRN | 10040076 |
| Opened | 1 Feb 2013 |
| GIAS updated | 18 Mar 2026 |
Data sources and freshness
| Official record updated | 18 Mar 2026 |
| Latest KS4 year | — |
| Latest KS2 year | 2024/2025 |
| Ofsted published | 11 Jul 2024 |
Latest Ofsted inspection
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
| Inspection type | Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 2 |
| Category of concern | — |
| Inspection date | 18 Jun 2024 |
| Publication date | 11 Jul 2024 |