Heighington Church of England Primary School, Newton Aycliffe

In its own words: "Heighington CE Primary School is situated on the outskirts of the village of Heighington, near Newton Aycliffe. Our school has a very good reputation within the locality, to the extent that some children travel from surrounding towns and villages to attend. At present, we have around 250 children on roll from Nursery to Year 6 (3-11 years)."

In 2025, 81% of Year 6 pupils at Heighington Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 83% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 76% in Darlington and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (81% in reading, 78% in maths).

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 28 families put Heighington Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 51 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Heighington Church of England Primary School are St Francis Horndale CofE Primary School (2 miles, Good, 42% reading, 33% maths); Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery School (2.1 miles, Good, 48% reading, 48% maths); Byerley Park Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 80% reading, 87% maths); and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (2.2 miles, Good, 84% reading, 89% maths).

Heighington Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Heighington Church of England Primary School is one of 22 schools run by Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 68% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

76 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Heighington Church of England Primary School (as of September 2025): 91% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child does well at the school (95%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

11.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 9 pupils (3.6%) received SEN support and 7 (2.8%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Heighington Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hall Lane (o), 120 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 6 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Darlington (281).

In 2024/25, Heighington Church of England Primary School issued 1 suspension, 0.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Heighington Church of England Primary School are UTC South Durham (1.7 miles) and Greenfield Academy (1.7 miles).