Kirk Merrington Primary School vs Whitworth Park Academy
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in North East, England, 2.6 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Kirk Merrington Primary School
Spennymoor · Local authority primary · Ages 4–11
180 students
Whitworth Park Academy
Spennymoor · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
996 students
| Measure | Kirk Merrington Primary School Spennymoor, North East | Whitworth Park Academy Spennymoor, North East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 75 Top 25% | 62 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #155 of 811 | #53 of 185 |
| National rank | #3027 of 15,697 | #1372 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Local authority | Academy |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 4–11 | Ages 11–16 |
| Students | 180 | 996 |
| Pupils on roll | 180 | 996 |
| Free school meals | 11.7% | 37.8% |
| Capacity filled | 101.1% | 76.6% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 83% | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | 6% | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | – | 50.4 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | – | 55.4% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | – | 70.3% |
| EBacc average points | – | 3.95 |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Spennymoor | Spennymoor |
| region | North East | North East |
| Website | www.kirkmerrington.durham.sch.uk/ | www.whitworthpark.org.uk |
The verdict
- •Kirk Merrington Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (74.8 vs 62.3).
- •Whitworth Park Academy is the larger school with 996 students compared with 180.
- •Kirk Merrington Primary School is a local authority school while Whitworth Park Academy is a academy school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Kirk Merrington Primary School better than Whitworth Park Academy?
On the Success Index (England), Kirk Merrington Primary School ranks higher (74.8 vs 62.3 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Kirk Merrington Primary School and Whitworth Park Academy?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Spennymoor and Spennymoor in North East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Kirk Merrington Primary School: 180. Whitworth Park Academy: 996. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Kirk Merrington Primary School and Whitworth Park Academy rank in North East?
Kirk Merrington Primary School is 155th of 811 and Whitworth Park Academy is 53rd of 185 among primary schools in North East on the 2025 Success Index (England).