NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School, Newbiggin-By-the-Sea

In its own words: "A culture of learning, success, high expectations, aspiration, challenge and inclusion pervade all aspects of life at Grace Darling Primary. This is reflected through the curriculum, the leadership and daily practices of pupils and staff, aspiring to be compassionate global citizens with a sense of community and social responsibility."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include karate, choir, orchestra, guitar and recorder.

The school runs a breakfast club.

In 2025, 44% of Year 6 pupils at NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 37% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 72% in Northumberland and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 59% in reading and 43% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 36 families put NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School as their first choice and 39 named it as one of their preferences, for 35 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 1 family who put it first was not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School are NCEA Bishop's Primary School (1 mile, Good, 51% reading, 44% maths); NCEA Thomas Bewick C of E Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 52% reading, 48% maths); St Aidan's Catholic Primary School, Ashington (1.1 miles, 87% reading, 97% maths); and Central Academy (1.7 miles).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School.

NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School is one of 9 schools run by Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 42% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

37.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 2.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 120 pupils (32.3%) received SEN support and 25 (6.7%) 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.

NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School had 22 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Ashington Rail Station, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 134 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Northumberland (44), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, NCEA Grace Darling CofE Primary School issued 48 suspensions, 11.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.