Etherley Lane Primary School
Bishop Auckland, DL14 7RB · County Durham · primary school
Check the area around this school
98th 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 — 5.3/10 against 1,537 of them, against 4.3/10 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 | 65.0 · 52 | 40% | 2.07 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Etherley Lane Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 65.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 3.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 190 pupils against a stated capacity of 343. 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 maths? What does a typical day look like for a child in Year 6? How does the school engage parents in monitoring progress?
What Ofsted said about Etherley Lane Primary School
Overview
Etherley Lane Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils enjoy attending this "warm and welcoming school" where they feel part of an inclusive community. The school successfully instils core values and prepares pupils effectively for life in modern Britain.
Strengths
- Pupils engage well with learning, take pride in their work, and achieve well during their time at the school.
- The curriculum has been strengthened, with effective professional development for teachers and quick identification of support needs for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- Early reading is taught well, with staff providing extra practice for those finding sounds difficult, ensuring pupils build confidence and proficiency.
- Attendance has improved significantly, with the proportion of pupils missing school frequently halved compared to the previous academic year.
- The school fosters a collaborative ethos among staff and governors, supporting well-being and creating ambition and curiosity among pupils.
Areas to improve
- Teachers do not check sufficiently for emerging gaps in knowledge when learning is revisited, meaning some pupils forget important knowledge over time.
- The school should ensure teachers make consistently effective use of retrieval activities to support pupils in remembering more of the curriculum in their long-term memory.
Safeguarding
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 | 51% |
| 2023/24 | 70% |
| 2024/25 | 65% |
| 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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