Tilery Primary School

Tilery Primary School serves families in Portrack, close to Stockton-on-Tees town centre, with provision from age 2 through to Year 6. It is a school where routines and consistency matter, particularly in the early years, and where reading is treated as a non negotiable foundation rather than an optional extra.

The most recent inspection (November 2024) judged all key areas as Good, including early years. That matters here because the school’s published approach puts early language, phonics, and classroom habits central to how children settle and progress through primary.

Academically, the latest end of Key Stage 2 outcome is cautious: 50% met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, with no pupils recorded at the higher standard on the combined measure. The school's overall ranking position also places it below the England middle band, so the nuance is important for families comparing local options.

Tilery describes itself as safe, happy, and inclusive, and its public information repeatedly returns to the idea of children being ready to learn at the start of the day. A “soft start” is built into daily routines, with doors opening from 8:30am and children going straight to classrooms, alongside a free bagel offer via the National Breakfast Programme.

The school’s leadership is highly visible in its public-facing communication, and the head teacher is Mrs Judith (Judy) Stanyard.

Behaviour and classroom habits appear to be treated as foundational skills, not an afterthought. The most recent inspection highlights embedded routines, including in early years, and a consistent expectation that pupils tidy up and line up sensibly, with these habits carrying through the school.

Nursery provision is a significant part of Tilery’s offer. With entry from age 2, the early years phase is not simply childcare attached to a primary school, it is positioned as the starting point for language development, reading readiness, and the attitudes pupils carry into Reception and Key Stage 1.

Tilery's latest published Key Stage 2 outcomes show a mixed but readable picture: 50% met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, while no pupils were recorded at the higher standard on the combined measure.

• Combined expected standard (reading, writing and maths): 50%.

• Higher standard in reading, writing and maths: 0%.

• Average scaled scores: Reading 103, Maths 104, GPS 104.

On FindMySchool's primary rankings (based on official data), Tilery is ranked 13,251st out of 14,978 schools for primary academic performance and 12,963rd overall, with a local overall rank of 41st in Stockton-on-Tees. This places it below the England middle band nationally, and the 50% combined expected-standard figure reinforces that parents should look carefully across the full set of measures.

The school’s published curriculum information places a strong emphasis on reading from the earliest years, including explicit references to developing a love of reading from the 2 year old provision onwards.

Phonics appears to be delivered as a whole-school priority. The latest inspection report describes staff being trained in how to teach phonics, tracking closely who is keeping up, and targeted support when pupils are at risk of falling behind.

For families, the practical implication is that Tilery is likely to suit children who respond well to clear structures and repeated practice, particularly in early literacy. If a child needs very high stretch at the top end, it is worth looking carefully at how the school extends the most able, given that no pupils were recorded at the combined higher standard in the latest Key Stage 2 data.

As a primary school, Tilery’s main transition point is into Year 7. Secondary transfer is handled through Stockton-on-Tees systems, and the most relevant question for parents is usually practical rather than academic: which local secondaries are realistic based on distance and criteria in a given year.

Tilery does not publish a single named “destination list” in the same way some independent preps do. A sensible approach is to shortlist likely secondaries in Stockton-on-Tees, then use FindMySchool’s local hub comparison tools to check how they differ on outcomes, ethos, and admissions pressure.

Tilery is a state school with no tuition fees. Reception admissions are coordinated through Stockton-on-Tees. For the 2027 intake, online applications are due to open in the week commencing 9 November 2026, with a closing date of 15 January 2027 and offers issued on 16 April 2027.

Admissions pressure can vary from year to year, so families should apply on time and use a realistic set of preferences. The practical point is planning rather than assuming a place will be automatic.

Safeguarding information is clearly signposted, and the school states that the head teacher is the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Pastoral strength at Tilery appears closely linked to routines, consistency, and early intervention, particularly where pupils need extra help to keep pace with reading. For parents, that can translate into a calm daily experience when systems are predictable and staff respond quickly when children are struggling.

Tilery’s extracurricular offer is practical and changeable by half term, rather than built around a fixed set of year-long clubs. The school publishes specific after-school options for a spring half term block starting 12 January 2026, including:

• Mindful Colouring (Key Stage 1)

• Lego Club (Key Stage 1)

• Drumba (Key Stage 2)

• Dodgeball (Key Stage 2)

• Football (Year 5 and 6)

• Netball (Key Stage 2)

Breakfast club runs from 7:30am and is priced at £2 per child per day.

The school notes it currently has no dates listed for a holiday club, so parents who need holiday cover should plan ahead and ask what is running in a given break.

There is also an Eco Club section highlighted on the school website navigation, which is a useful signal for families who value environmental projects and pupil responsibility.

Session times are published and differ slightly by phase:

Reception and Key Stage 1

8:40am to 3:10pm

Key Stage 2

8:45am to 3:15pm

Nursery sessions

morning and afternoon sessions are published, and a 30-hours pattern is also listed.

Wraparound: breakfast club starts at 7:30am; after-school clubs run in scheduled blocks rather than as a guaranteed daily childcare service.

• Overall performance banding. The latest combined expected-standard figure and the school's overall national ranking position both sit below the England middle band. This can indicate fewer pupils reaching higher outcomes across the full set of measures.

• Admissions demand can shift. Reception pressure can vary year to year, so families should apply on time and use a realistic set of preferences.

• After-school cover is not the same as childcare. Clubs are published termly and can change; families needing guaranteed late pickup most days should confirm what provision is available each term.

• Nursery costs. Nursery provision is available, but early years fee details should be checked directly with the school.

Tilery Primary School looks best suited to families who want a structured start, clear routines, and a strong emphasis on early reading and phonics, with provision that begins before Reception. Academic outcomes suggest solid attainment for many pupils, with less evidence of very high levels of top-end stretch compared with the strongest primaries in England. Admission is competitive but not extreme, and the practical offer, including breakfast club and rotating after-school activities, will appeal to working families who can manage childcare planning term by term.