Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School
Ferryhill, DL17 8PP · County Durham · primary school
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175th of 188 primary schools in County Durham we can score, 208 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.5/10 against 281 of them, against 2.7/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 52.0 · 22 | 40% | 0.88 |
| Ofsted | 3 | 35% | 0.10 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 4.0 · 35 | 25% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 4.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school 'Requires improvement' in July 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Photography, Computing, Singing and Radio Clubs, or play Football, Quidditch, Hockey, Gymnastics and KS1 games. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 181 pupils against a stated capacity of 262. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to move from the expected to the higher standard in maths? What specific actions are being taken to address the 'Requires improvement' rating? How does the curriculum balance the wide range of clubs with core academic time?
What Ofsted said about Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School
Overview
The report states that the school’s overall effectiveness, along with the quality of education, behaviour, personal development, leadership, and early years provision, all ‘require improvement’. While pupils are generally happy and safe, the curriculum is currently being rewritten and is not yet coherent, leading to gaps in learning. Leaders are working to address these issues, but attendance remains below the national average.
Strengths
- The school ‘prioritises reading’, with pupils developing ‘confidence and fluency’ through effective strategies and targeted support for those falling behind.
- Pupils value ‘leadership opportunities’, such as serving as head boy or head girl, and enjoyed participating in interviews for the new headteacher.
- The early years is described as a ‘happy and safe environment’ where children enjoy interacting with adults.
- Staff appreciate the support from leaders to ‘reduce their workload’ and benefit from additional time to complete tasks.
- Pupils engage in a variety of extra-curricular clubs and educational visits, including a residential trip that they ‘very much enjoy’.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the curriculum is ‘consistently planned, sequenced and implemented’ so pupils learn and remember content over time, particularly in subjects like science and art.
- The school needs to improve the precision of support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to ensure all receive effective help.
- Leaders should establish ‘consistently high expectations of presentation’ and teach correct letter formation from Nursery onwards.
- Accurate recording of behavioural incidents is required to help staff address and prevent poor behaviour effectively.
- Leaders must continue to help parents understand the importance of regular attendance, which remains ‘stubbornly below the national average’.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 76% |
| 2023/24 | 54% |
| 2024/25 | 52% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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