St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Bedlington

Ofsted's report card from its 17 March 2026 inspection grades St Bede's Catholic Primary School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils' outcomes in national assessments across all key stages show steady improvement since the last inspection."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders track the attendance of pupils closely and take effective action if attendance becomes a concern."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "The school has a clear focus on providing high-quality education to the children who attend the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders make sure all pupils are included fully in school life at St Bede's."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Since the previous inspection, the chair of the local governing body, several governors and the school's senior leadership team have changed."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's well-planned approach to personal development and wellbeing begins in the early years."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the development of pupils' foundational knowledge in writing, such as pencil grip and letter formation, is given higher priority throughout the school"; "Leaders should regularly evaluate the impact of the school's 2 new enhanced provisions for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, focusing on how these support pupils' behaviour and academic progress across the school"; "Leaders should ensure that children's learning opportunities in the early years outdoor environment are as effective as those provided indoors, specifically in supporting children's language and vocabulary development".

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

In 2025, 72% of Year 6 pupils at St Bede's Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 76% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 72% in Northumberland and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 64% in reading and 64% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 20 families put St Bede's Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 31 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 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 St Bede's Catholic Primary School are Bedlington West End Primary School (under 0.1 miles, Good, 70% reading, 67% maths); Meadowdale Academy (0.3 miles, Good, 85% reading, 85% maths); Bedlington Whitley Memorial Church of England Primary School (0.6 miles, Requires improvement, 48% reading, 42% maths); and Stead Lane Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 64% reading, 68% maths).

St Bede's Catholic Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

St Bede's Catholic Primary School is one of 39 schools run by Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 65% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

53 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Bede's Catholic Primary School (as of April 2026): 91% would recommend the school, 91% 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 feels safe (93%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

13.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 11.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (83%) and Asian (8%).

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

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ridge Terrace (wb), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 91 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Northumberland (44), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, St Bede's Catholic Primary School issued 1 suspension, 0.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Bede's Catholic Primary School are St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy (under 0.1 miles) and Bedlington Academy (1.6 miles).