High Coniscliffe CofE Primary School, Darlington

Ofsted's report card from its 9 September 2026 inspection grades High Coniscliffe CofE Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Most pupils attend school every day because they enjoy it."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged, progress well from their starting points."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders know the strengths of the curriculum and are prioritising the right areas for improvement."

Early years - Expected standard. "The ongoing development of the early years provision is a high priority for leaders."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff know their pupils very well."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know their school very well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have thoughtfully planned their personal development programme to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should embed recent changes to the curriculum and teaching to make sure all pupils secure their foundational knowledge and skills, particularly in writing, in a timely manner"; "Leaders should continue to embed improvements made to their early years provision, focusing on maximising opportunities for high-quality interactions and the development of independence, to ensure all children develop the skills that they need for their next steps"; "Leaders should ensure they carefully target and monitor the impact of interventions to be assured that they make a sustained difference to pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, enabling them to develop detailed knowledge and skills across the curriculum".

In 2025, 77% of Year 6 pupils at High Coniscliffe CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 69% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 76% in Darlington and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 75% in reading and 63% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 10 families put High Coniscliffe CofE Primary School as their first choice and 23 named it as one of their preferences, for 10 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to High Coniscliffe CofE Primary School are Mount Pleasant Primary School (2.5 miles, Good, 88% reading, 94% maths); Mowden Junior School (2.6 miles, Good, 86% reading, 86% maths); Mowden Infant School (2.7 miles, Good); and St Mary's Cockerton Church of England Primary School (2.8 miles, Good, 60% reading, 67% maths).

High Coniscliffe CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.

High Coniscliffe CofE Primary School is one of 13 schools run by Melrose 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.

16.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (90%) and Mixed (6%).

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of High Coniscliffe CofE Primary School.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ulnaby Lane (i), 180 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 4 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, burglary and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Darlington (281).

High Coniscliffe CofE Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.