Christ The King Roman Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Catholic Academy Review 2026

There are schools that talk about ambition, and schools that organise themselves so pupils can actually meet it. Christ The King in Thornaby leans strongly toward the second. The most recent published outcomes show a high proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard at Key Stage 2, and a notably large share reaching the higher standard, which matters for families with high-attaining children.

The culture is shaped by clear routines and leadership roles for pupils, with eco and sports leadership explicitly part of the wider offer, alongside a structured set of clubs and enrichment activities. Nursery provision from age 2 also makes it a realistic option for families who want continuity through to Year 6, rather than a separate early years setting followed by a fresh start in Reception.

The school describes its mission in direct terms, Christ be our light and our guide, and the practical implication is that Catholic life is woven into routines rather than treated as an add-on. That shows up in the presence of pupil chaplains and Mini Vinnies in the wider life of the school, and in the way the school frames service and community as part of growing up, not a one-off fundraiser.

Leadership is led by Mr M Ryan as Executive Headteacher, with Miss H Lickess as Executive Head of School. The structure matters because it signals capacity and consistency, especially where leaders work across more than one setting within the trust. For parents, the key question is whether this translates into clear expectations day to day. Official reporting points to a calm, purposeful culture where pupils are eager to learn, relationships are respectful, and behaviour is a strength.

Early years is not treated as a holding pattern. Nursery and Reception are framed as the start of a curriculum journey, with routines and vocabulary introduced early so pupils are ready for Key Stage 1 with confidence. A simple example is how environmental learning is made tangible for the youngest children, including practical care of plants and a recycled “living wall” activity in Nursery. The implication is that children who learn best through doing are given plenty to get their hands on, not just worksheets and carpet time.

The headline Key Stage 2 picture is strong. In 2024, 86.3% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 35.7% reached greater depth across reading, writing and mathematics, well above the England average of 8%.

Scaled scores reinforce the same story: reading 108, mathematics 107, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 108. These are the kinds of figures that usually correlate with confident classroom routines, high expectations, and well-sequenced learning, especially in early reading and maths.

Rankings are also positive. Ranked 2,344th in England and 8th in Stockton-on-Tees for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), the school sits above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

One nuance worth noting is science: 81% reached the expected standard, close to, but slightly below, the England average of 82%. On its own that is not a red flag, but it is a useful prompt for parents to ask how science knowledge is built and assessed, particularly for pupils who are strong in core subjects and benefit from the same clarity elsewhere.

Teaching is framed around an ambitious curriculum that is planned so pupils revisit and remember key knowledge over time. In practice, that shows up in careful sequencing, purposeful activities, and explicit attention to language and vocabulary across subjects. The benefit for pupils is that learning is less likely to feel like isolated topics and more like a connected set of ideas that build week by week.

Early reading is a clear priority. Staff use structured phonics teaching, and pupils are expected to apply sounds they know with confidence. The implication is that children who need extra practice are identified quickly, and children who are ready for more are not held back by a one-pace-fits-all approach.

Mathematics is also taught with a strong emphasis on number from early years, plus regular problem solving and reasoning as pupils move through Key Stage 1 and 2. For families, the practical takeaway is that pupils are not only trained to get answers, they are trained to explain how they got there, which is often where confidence grows.

The school also points to local links within subjects such as history, which helps pupils connect learning to place and community. That tends to suit children who learn best when content feels real, not abstract.

As a primary school, the main transition question is Year 6 readiness for the move to secondary. The school frames preparation as both academic and social, and official reporting highlights a broad wider offer, including residential visits, that builds independence and maturity over time. The implication is that pupils practise “being ready” before the jump to Year 7, not just in the final term of Year 6.

For Catholic families, a practical point is proximity to Catholic secondary options in the area, including schools within the same trust. That can make continuity of ethos, pastoral language, and community links easier, though secondary allocation still depends on the local admissions process and oversubscription criteria.

Reception admissions are coordinated through Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. For the 2026 entry round, online applications opened week commencing 10 November 2025, with a closing date of 15 January 2026, and offers issued on 16 April 2026 (or the next working day). Families looking ahead should expect broadly similar timings each year, even when precise dates shift slightly.

Because this is a Catholic school, families should also plan for additional paperwork. The school requires a supplementary information form alongside the local authority common application, so it is worth building in time to gather parish or faith evidence where the oversubscription criteria require it.

The demand picture supports the idea that this is a popular choice locally. In the most recent published admissions data available, 55 applications were made for 38 offers for the main entry route, which equates to around 1.45 applications per place and an oversubscribed status. The implication is simple, if this is a first-choice option, it should be listed as such, but families should still include realistic alternatives on the form.

For nursery entry, the route is different. Nursery provision includes morning and afternoon sessions, and the school provides a nursery application form for families applying directly.

Parents weighing competitiveness can use the FindMySchoolMap Search to understand local geography and to sanity-check travel routines, even when published distance cut-offs are not available for a particular year.

Pastoral strength is often easiest to spot in safeguarding culture, routines, and how pupils treat each other. The November 2023 Ofsted inspection confirmed that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Beyond safeguarding, the school places emphasis on pupil leadership roles that encourage responsibility, including buddying and roles that support younger children, alongside a wider offer designed to build confidence and belonging. For many pupils, having a defined role in school life can be the difference between “attending” and “participating”.

SEND support is described in terms of adapting teaching so pupils can work alongside peers, with additional professional input where needed. Parents of children with identified needs will want to look closely at how support is planned and reviewed, but the broad approach is inclusion-first rather than separation by default.

The extracurricular programme is unusually well-specified for a primary. The school lists a structured “carousel” of activities across the year, including Eco-Warriors, Mini-Vinnies, Chaplains, Choir, School Council, and table-tennis, alongside sport and creative options such as Dance Fusion and Urban Kaos. The value of this kind of model is that pupils who do not immediately gravitate to football or netball still have obvious ways to belong and lead.

Outdoor learning is a tangible feature, with an on-site Forest School area and a curriculum link between outdoor projects and wider environmental themes. In practice, that can mean children learning risk assessment, teamwork, and practical problem solving in a setting that suits pupils who learn best through movement and making.

There is also an explicit global element, including partnership work linked to Kenya, and a stated focus on sustainability and climate-related learning through pupil groups such as Eco Warriors. The best version of this sort of work is not poster-making, it is pupils repeatedly practising small actions and then understanding why they matter. The school’s published material suggests it aims for that more sustained approach.

Residentials are part of the wider experience, including references to trips such as Holland and other residential opportunities. For parents, residentials are often less about geography and more about independence, friendships, and confidence away from home, especially for pupils who are cautious or who have not travelled much.

The compulsory school day (Reception to Year 6) runs with doors opening at 8:45am, registration at 9:00am, and a 3:10pm finish. Nursery session times are published as 8:30am to 11:30am for mornings and 12:15pm to 3:15pm for afternoons.

Wraparound care is in place. Breakfast club is published with arrival from 7:30am and a per-session cost of £2.50, and after-school club runs from 3:10pm to 5:30pm at £6 per session, with a light tea included.

• Competitive entry. Recent application volumes indicate more demand than places at the main entry point, so it is important to list realistic alternatives on the council form and to be ready for waiting list movement after offer day.

• Catholic admissions paperwork. Families should expect an extra supplementary form and should read the oversubscription criteria carefully, especially where faith practice evidence affects priority.

• High attainment can bring pressure. With outcomes well above England averages, some pupils will thrive on the pace and expectations, while others may need careful support to keep confidence high during Key Stage 2.

• Wraparound costs add up. Breakfast and after-school provision is clearly organised, but regular use becomes a meaningful monthly cost, so it is worth budgeting early.

Christ The King Roman Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Catholic Academy combines a clearly Catholic identity with academic outcomes that sit well above England averages, plus a detailed and structured wider programme that gives pupils many ways to belong and lead. Best suited to families who value high expectations, routine, and faith-informed community life, and who want continuity from nursery through to Year 6. The main constraint is admission, not the educational offer.