Delves Lane Primary School
Consett, DH8 7ES · County Durham · primary school
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184th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.5/10 against 1,335 of them, against 0.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 35.0 · 5 | 40% | 0.20 |
| Ofsted | 5 | 35% | 0.18 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Delves Lane Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 35.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. 0.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in June 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join ukulele lessons, after-school activity clubs, and a whole school dance festival. Sports include intra-school House Cup events, inter-school competitions, Derwentside leagues, and swimming lessons. An after-school club is available for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 274 pupils against a stated capacity of 351. 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 who are below the expected standard in core subjects? What specific steps are taken to improve attainment in reading and writing? How does the new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Delves Lane Primary School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils feel safe and are generally well-behaved, with staff showing high expectations for behaviour. However, academic achievement in core subjects is below national averages, and significant gaps in knowledge persist across the wider curriculum. Leaders have taken recent steps to improve teaching and attendance, but the pace of implementation has been inconsistent, and it is too early to see the full impact of these changes.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are actively identified and managed.
- Staff work hard to know pupils well, swiftly identifying barriers to learning and providing timely support for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- Pupils develop a strong understanding of personal safety, including online safety and road safety, and engage positively in a broad curriculum enriched by visits and clubs.
- The school environment is "calm and safe," with pupils typically showing respect to staff and each other.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure key knowledge and vocabulary in the early years are identified and taught consistently to support language development.
- Attendance systems need strengthening to secure sustained improvement, particularly for persistently absent pupils.
- The newly designed foundation curriculum must be implemented and monitored to ensure pupils build secure knowledge and skills over time in all subjects.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 48% |
| 2023/24 | 43% |
| 2024/25 | 35% |
| 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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