Milking Bank Primary School has closed (Monday 31 August 2026).
It became an academy, which has a new school record. The school at this address is now Milking Bank Primary School.
Milking Bank Primary School, DUDLEY
Milking Bank Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Dudley. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in May 2013. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in January 2023 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 9th-highest of the 23 schools in DUDLEY with published results, and 7,614th of 14,452 across England. It was full in 2025, at 101% of capacity.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2013)
- Demand
- Oversubscribed
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Dudley (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Milking Bank Primary School in detail
Results
In 2025, 79% of Year 6 pupils at Milking Bank Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 74% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 75% in Dudley and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 80% in reading and 83% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Milking Bank Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 63 families put Milking Bank Primary School as their first choice and 196 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 8 families who put it first were not offered a place there.
Admissions history and your chances at Milking Bank Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Milking Bank Primary School are Milking Bank Primary School (under 0.1 miles); Roberts Primary School (0.5 miles, Requires improvement, 75% reading, 66% maths); Russells Hall Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 58% reading, 61% maths); and Red Hall Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 48% reading, 48% maths).
Milking Bank Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.
Milking Bank Primary SchoolRoberts Primary SchoolRussells Hall Primary SchoolRed Hall Primary School
Who goes there
10.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 6.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (70%), Asian (14%) and Mixed (7%).
In 2026, 34 pupils (7.3%) received SEN support and 19 (4.1%) 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.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Flood Street (West Midlands Metro), about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.
11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Stratford Close (adjacent), 40 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Milking Bank Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Milking Bank Primary School issued 9 suspensions, 1.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Our estimate from how close the nearest similar schools are and how oversubscribed the council's schools are. It is not a published boundary.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 years agoThis judgement is from May 2013, 13 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's January 2023 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Milking Bank Primary School is a calm, welcoming place where your child will be safe and happy. Reading is a real strength - the school teaches phonics carefully and encourages a love of books throughout their time here. Your child will also develop important values like respect and kindness, with teachers who care about both learning and wellbeing.
Key Strengths
- Reading is taught very well with a structured phonics scheme and a strong focus on promoting reading for pleasure across the school
- Behaviour and conduct are excellent - pupils are respectful, kind, and disruption is rare
- Strong leadership and staff wellbeing - the headteacher creates a supportive environment where staff morale is high
- Pupils have a strong voice in school life through leadership roles, pupil councils, and involvement in creating school expectations
- Enriching activities including trips, clubs, awards schemes, and special events fuel pupils' interests
Areas for Improvement
- In some subjects, leaders have not clearly identified the key knowledge pupils need to learn and remember, which means teachers are unsure what to focus on and pupils may not retain important learning
- Teaching of early writing and letter formation is inconsistent in the early years, leading to unhelpful writing habits that need to be corrected later
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with leaders keeping up-to-date with requirements, providing weekly newsletters to staff, responding promptly to concerns, and ensuring the school site is secure with all necessary staff checks in place.
Extracurricular Activities
After-school clubs, day trips, special events, Young Voices concert, play leader roles, curriculum ambassador positions, junior award scheme
Milking Bank Primary School continues to be a good school where pupils behave well, feel safe, and enjoy learning in a calm and orderly environment. Reading is taught well and the school provides a friendly, welcoming place for pupils, parents, and staff.
At a Glance
10.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 79% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 83% to 74% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 85% to 81% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
28.0
Avg class size
29.8
Infant (KS1)
30.0
KS2
15
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Social & online
Keep up with Milking Bank Primary School
Term dates
Milking Bank Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Dudley. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
2027 to 2028
- Autumn term: Thursday 2 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027)
- Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 7 April 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028)
- Summer term: Monday 24 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Milking Bank Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Milking Bank Primary School is in Dudley; for families living there:
- How to apply: Apply for Education Travel Support
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Milking Bank Primary School
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
101%
Over capacity
422 pupils
420 places
2 pupils over capacity in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - DUDLEY
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for DUDLEY
Across Dudley council
Places available
3,812
Applications
3,314
Got 1st preference
92.0%
Got preferred school
98.5%
All primary applications across Dudley council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Oversubscribed
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
34
SEN Support
19
EHC Plans
11.4%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
464
Total Pupils
241
Boys
223
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
23
Teachers
20.2:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£55,272
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,081
Per pupil
£2320k
Total funding
£70k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.2%
Overall absence
12.5%
Persistent absence
369
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Milking Bank Primary School
What are SATs results like at Milking Bank Primary School?
Of the pupils at Milking Bank Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 79% reached the expected standard in reading and 74% did so in maths.
What is Milking Bank Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Milking Bank Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2023, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in May 2013, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Milking Bank Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Milking Bank Primary School is oversubscribed, Dudley allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Milking Bank Primary School?
Milking Bank Primary School was full in 2025, at 100% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at Milking Bank Primary School?
Classes at Milking Bank Primary School average 28 pupils (2025/26). 2 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Milking Bank Primary School?
Milking Bank Primary School has around 464 pupils on roll. 11% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Milking Bank Primary School?
5.2% of sessions were missed at Milking Bank Primary School in 2024/25. 12.5% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Milking Bank Primary School?
Apply through Dudley's coordinated admissions process, naming Milking Bank Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
What are Milking Bank Primary School's term dates?
Milking Bank Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Dudley. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027). In 2027 to 2028: Autumn term: Thursday 2 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027); Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 7 April 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028); Summer term: Monday 24 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028).
Where is Milking Bank Primary School?
Milking Bank Primary School is at Milking Bank Primary School, Aintree Way, DUDLEY, West Midlands, DY1 2SL.
Source: Dudley term dates