St Mary's Cockerton Church of England Primary School, Darlington

In its own words: "St. Mary’s Cockerton School is distinguished by its Christian foundation and the principles that flow from this. The school is committed to developing the full potential of its pupils as individuals - spiritually, emotionally and academically. Spiritual development forms an integral part of school life and collective worship is an essential part of the school day."

From the headteacher's welcome: "There has been a Church School serving Cockerton village since 1824, when the Anglican Church authorities were given a cottage on the green. A new building was completed in 2009 providing excellent learning spaces for 210 children from 4 to 11 years old."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include choir, cooking, sewing and film.

In 2025, 60% of Year 6 pupils at St Mary's Cockerton Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 67% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 76% in Darlington and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 65% in reading and 77% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put St Mary's Cockerton Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 97 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 St Mary's Cockerton Church of England Primary School are Holy Family Catholic Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 90% reading, 87% maths); Mowden Infant School (0.4 miles, Good); Mowden Junior School (0.4 miles, Good, 86% reading, 86% maths); and Mount Pleasant Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 88% reading, 94% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than St Mary's Cockerton Church of England Primary School.

St Mary's Cockerton Church of England 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.

11.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 28 pupils (13%) received SEN support and 4 (1.9%) 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 North Road Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

17 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Newton Court (i), 80 metres away.

In 2024/25, St Mary's Cockerton Church of England Primary School issued 4 suspensions, 2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Mary's Cockerton Church of England Primary School are Wyvern Academy (0.5 miles), Carmel College (0.7 miles), Hummersknott Academy (1 mile) and Polam Hall School (1.4 miles).