Bailey Green Primary School Review 2026: Academic Excellence in North Tyneside

Bailey Green Primary School serves the community of Killingworth with a level of academic ambition that translates into some of the strongest outcomes in the North East. Situated in a residential pocket of Newcastle, this two-form entry school caters to approximately 458 pupils including a thriving nursery provision. Performance is characterized by remarkable consistency; recent data places the school among the top tier of primary providers in England. Under the leadership of Headteacher Mrs. Lisa Taylor, who has guided the school since April 2011, Bailey Green has maintained a reputation for high standards and a community-focused ethos that extends from its earliest years through to Year 6. The latest inspection in June 2024 confirmed its status as a leading institution, awarding the school an Outstanding grade across all areas.

The atmosphere at Bailey Green is one of purposeful energy. The school occupies a well-maintained site on West Bailey, where the physical environment is designed to stimulate curiosity. Large, colorful displays celebrate pupil work across the curriculum, reflecting a culture where achievement is visible and valued. There is a palpable sense of stability here, aided by a long-standing leadership team and a low turnover of staff, which helps foster deep-rooted relationships between families and the school.

Mrs. Lisa Taylor leads with a clear vision that prioritizes both academic rigor and pupil happiness. The school operates as a tight-knit community where children feel safe and empowered to take risks in their learning. This supportive environment begins in the nursery, which is fully integrated into school life, ensuring that the youngest children feel a sense of belonging from their very first day. The recent inspection highlighted that the school operates as a nurturing, close-knit community where behavior is superb and pupils develop deep insights into their subjects.

The academic performance at Bailey Green is exceptional, placing it in the elite tier of state primaries. In 2024, 89% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, a figure that dwarfs the England average of 62%. This high level of attainment is not limited to the expected standard; 37% of pupils achieved the higher standard in all three subjects, compared to an England average of 8%.

Ranked 486th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the top 4% of schools in England. Locally, it ranks 8th among all primary schools in Newcastle. Scaled scores further reinforce this picture of excellence; the average scaled score in reading was 108, while grammar, punctuation, and spelling reached 113, significantly outstripping the benchmarks seen across the region.

Teaching at Bailey Green is characterized by expert subject knowledge and a rigorous approach to the core curriculum. The school has a particularly strong focus on early literacy and numeracy, which provides a solid foundation for the more complex work tackled in Key Stage 2. Lessons are structured to ensure that no child is left behind, with teachers using live assessment to identify and address misconceptions immediately.

The curriculum extends beyond the basics, with specialist input in areas such as music and physical education. In Science, the school achieved a 100% success rate for pupils reaching the expected standard in 2024, well above the England average of 82%. This success is attributed to a curriculum that emphasizes practical investigation and scientific inquiry. For the higher-attaining pupils, there is a clear strategy for greater depth, particularly in writing, where 25% of pupils achieved the highest possible mark in 2024.

Nursery Provision

The nursery at Bailey Green, known as Bailey's Butterflies, is a vital part of the school's identity, offering places for children from age two. The setting is designed to transition children smoothly into the Reception year, with shared outdoor spaces and collaborative planning between early years practitioners and Reception teachers. The approach is heavily influenced by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework but with a distinct focus on independence and communication.

Staff in the nursery are highly skilled at identifying early needs, ensuring that support is put in place well before the start of formal schooling. While the nursery is integrated into the main school site, it maintains its own distinct rhythm. For nursery fee details, visit the school website. Government-funded hours are available for eligible families; see the guide to nursery funding on the local authority website for further details.

Extracurricular life at Bailey Green is diverse, with a focus on sports, technology, and the arts. The school utilizes its grounds to host a variety of clubs, including a highly popular Football Club and Netball team that compete in local North Tyneside leagues. For those with a technical bent, the Coding Club allows pupils to experiment with block-based programming and robotics.

Music is another pillar of the school's broader offering. The school choir performs at community events, and there are opportunities for pupils to take up peripatetic instrument lessons. The school also places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, with regular sessions that encourage pupils to engage with the natural environment, building teamwork and problem-solving skills away from the traditional classroom setting.

Securing a place at Bailey Green is a competitive process. For the most recent intake, the school was significantly oversubscribed, receiving 135 applications for 60 available places in Reception. This means there are approximately 2.25 applications for every seat, making it one of the most in-demand schools in the North Tyneside local authority.

Admissions are managed by North Tyneside Council. Parents considering an application should note that 1.54 first-preference applications were made for every first-preference offer. Proximity to the school gate is a primary criterion for allocation after siblings and looked-after children. Families can use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school compared to historical intake patterns.

The wellbeing of pupils is a top priority, supported by a robust pastoral system that ensures every child is known by the staff. Each class has a dedicated teaching assistant who works alongside the teacher to provide emotional and academic support. The school employs a graduated response to special educational needs, ensuring that children with additional needs receive tailored interventions without being isolated from their peers.

The latest Ofsted report rated the school Outstanding for behavior and attitudes, noting that pupils are exceptionally polite and helpful. This collaborative approach ensures that any issues are identified and resolved quickly. The school's small-school feel, despite its capacity, is often cited by families as a key reason for the high levels of pupil happiness.

The school day at Bailey Green begins at 8:45 am and finishes at 3:15 pm. For working families, wraparound care is available on-site; the "Early Birds" breakfast club starts at 7:30 am, and the "Night Owls" after-school provision runs until 5:45 pm. These sessions are popular and typically require advance booking. The school is accessible via West Bailey, with some limited parking nearby for drop-off. Information regarding specific transport routes and holiday club schedules can be found on the school's official website.

• Heavy Oversubscription: With 2.25 applications per place, the school is one of the most competitive in the area. Families living outside the immediate vicinity may find it difficult to secure a place in Reception.
• Academic Pace: The school's results are in the elite tier, reflecting a fast-paced academic environment. While the school is supportive, children who thrive best in a less result-oriented setting might find the expectations here high.
• Nursery Transition: Entry into the nursery does not guarantee a place in the Reception class. Families must still apply through the local authority, which can lead to disappointment if the school is oversubscribed.

Bailey Green Primary School is an academic powerhouse that manages to maintain a warm, community-focused atmosphere. Its results place it among the highest-performing schools in England, making it an exceptional choice for parents who value traditional academic success. The school suits families who are prepared for a competitive admissions process and want a structured, high-achieving environment. Best suited to families within the local Killingworth community who seek a proven track record of academic excellence.