The deadline to apply for primary school reception places is approaching.
Newcastle City Council requires parents to submit their applications by Sunday January 15 for children starting reception this September.
Parents are asked to name a list of schools in priority order. They should read the entry criteria for schools they want to send their child to.
Read more: Deadline to apply for primary school places for September is end of this week
Many will want to send their child to a highly-rated school. Ofsted, the body which inspects schools, awards "Outstanding" ratings to the most impressive primaries.
The Newcastle primary schools rated "outstanding"
There are 10 Outstanding rated primary schools in Newcastle. Other primary schools previously rated as Outstanding, such as Beech Hill, St Cuthberts and St Teresa's, have switched to academies since their last inspections and have yet to be rated under their new management model, so are not included in this list.
Ofsted considers these to be new schools since they converted to academies. For example, Beech Hill Primary School was awarded an Oustanding rating in September 2008, but its opening date is listed by the Department for Education as June 2017, which is when it switched to an academy.
Similarly, note that some of the Outstanding schools have not been inspected in almost a decade, although one won its Outstanding rating just over a year ago.
Archibald First School, Gosforth
The school in Gosforth was given an "outstanding" rating after an inspection in March 2015.
Ofsted said: "All groups of pupils, including those who are potentially at risk of underachievement, make rapid progress and leave with standards that are very high for their age.
"Teaching is of a high standard. Over time it is never less than good and much of it is outstanding."
Benton Park Primary School, Benton
Corchester Walk, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE7 7SS
The "outstanding" rating was given after an inspection in June 2015.
The report said: "The school meets the needs of all its pupils extremely well. Pupils make excellent progress in all year groups.
"By the end of Year 6, they achieve high standards in reading and writing and above-average standards in mathematics."
Byker Primary School, Byker
The highest rating was given after an Ofsted visit in July 2017.
The report said: "Pupils' outcomes from all ability groups are excellent. They make substantial progress from starting points that are typically below those which would be expected. Standards by Year 6 are above average."
Cragside Primary School, High Heaton
This primary, in High Heaton, had a full inspection in February 2014 and was judged to be outstanding.
Ofsted said: "Teaching is outstanding. All teachers and teaching assistants share the headteacher’s vision to get the best for, and from, every child.
"They manage the different learning needs of their pupils very well and constantly check that each pupil is secure in their learning."
Hadrian School, Benwell
This special school received the top rating after a full inspection in March 2013.
Another short inspection took place in February 2018, after which inspectors noted: "This school continues to be outstanding.
"The leadership team has maintained the outstanding quality of education in the school since the last inspection."
Hilton Primary Academy, Blakelaw
This primary in Blakelaw was judged as outstanding after an inspection in June 2018.
Ofsted said: "The principal and her team are committed to meeting the needs of pupils and families. They have established a school that lies at the heart of the community.
"Their actions help pupils to make outstanding progress from their starting points."
Knop Law Primary School, Chapel House
The school in Chapel House was rated outstanding after a full inspection in November 2013.
The report said: "Pupils’ achievement is outstanding. They enter the Reception year with typical skills for their age.
"Pupils make rapid and sustained progress throughout the school so that by the end of Year 6, standards in mathematics, writing and reading are high."
Throckley Primary School, Throckley
An "outstanding" rating was given after a full inspection in November 2013.
The report said: "The school has improved rapidly since the previous inspection. It provides an outstanding education for all pupils and this includes their personal development as well as their academic achievement."
West Jesmond Primary School, West Jesmond
A full inspection was carried out in February 2015 and the school was classed as "outstanding".
Westgate Hill Primary Academy, Arthur's Hill
Ofsted visited Westgate Hill Primary in October 2021 and awarded it an Outstanding rating.
Inspectors said: "Leaders have thought carefully about what knowledge they want pupils to learn in every curriculum subject. They have invested in high-quality professional development for all staff. This gives staff a wealth of subject-specific knowledge."
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