UKSchoolSearch
OpenPrimaryOfsted: GoodURN 136988

Abbey Infants' School

Academy converter · Darlington · DL3 8JA

Ages 4–7 · 264 pupils · Darlington

School website

Ofsted

Good

Overall absence

3.7%

Admissions demand

0.96 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2022-11-16

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence3.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)4.4%
Unauthorised0.5%
Authorised absence
3.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
180

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.96 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

79

Places offered

82

1st-preference offers

79

Total preferences (any rank)
198
Preferred offers (top 3)
82
Applications from outside LA
3
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill98%

264 pupils · 270 places

Pupils on roll
264
Boys / girls
124 / 140
School capacity
270
Capacity fill
264 / 270 (98%)
Free school meals
3%
FSM pupils
8
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 4–7

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: MELROSE LEARNING TRUST
Academy trust
MELROSE LEARNING TRUST
Sponsor
Diocese of Durham
Headteacher
Mr Michael Piper-Nelson

Location

Address
Cleveland Terrace
Postcode
DL3 8JA
Town
Darlington
County
County Durham
Local authority
Darlington
District
Darlington
Constituency
Darlington
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (primary), Ages 4–7, in Darlington, Darlington, 264 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 3%.

Open schools in Darlington
49
Primary schools in Darlington
30
Academies among open schools in Darlington
76% (37)
Open schools in DL3
20
Primary in DL3
11
Open schools in Darlington LA
48
Primary in Darlington LA
29

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in DarlingtonNear DL3

  • Abbey Junior School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Darlington · DL3 8NN · Darlington

    Ages 7–11

    • KS262%
    • Absence3.6%
    • FSM9.4%

    0.2 miles away

  • Mowden Infant School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Darlington · DL3 9QG · Darlington

    Ages 5–7

    • Absence4.2%
    • FSM8.9%
    • Demand0.93

    0.7 miles away

  • Mowden Junior School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Darlington · DL3 9DE · Darlington

    Ages 7–11

    • KS276%
    • Absence3.7%
    • FSM12.9%

    0.8 miles away

  • Reid Street Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Darlington · DL3 6EX · Darlington

    Ages 4–11

    • KS268%
    • Absence5.9%
    • FSM28.0%
    • Demand0.91

    0.9 miles away

  • Holy Family Catholic Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Darlington · DL3 9EN · Darlington

    Ages 3–11

    • KS274%
    • Absence4.3%
    • FSM12.8%
    • Demand1.37

    1.0 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Michael Piper-Nelson
Telephone
01325380748
Website
https://abbeyschools.org.uk/

Official links