Howletch Lane Primary School
Peterlee, SR8 2NQ · County Durham · primary school
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146th 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 — 3.8/10 against 2,062 of them, against 3.3/10 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 | 44.0 · 12 | 62% | 0.72 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 38% | 2.54 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Howletch Lane Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 44.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the school recorded 10.0% against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 382 pupils against a stated capacity of 399. 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 activities take place during the breakfast and after-school clubs? How does the school manage class sizes with 17 places currently available?
What Ofsted said about Howletch Lane Primary School
Overview
Pupils at Howletch Lane Primary School are described as ‘happy and safe’, enjoying ‘very positive relationships with adults’ and a productive classroom environment. While behaviour, personal development, and leadership are rated ‘Good’, the ‘quality of education’ is judged to ‘Require improvement’ because many pupils ‘do not achieve all that they should’, impairing their readiness for the next stage of learning.
Strengths
- Pupils show respect to adults and peers, with staff dealing with bullying ‘quickly’ and providing high levels of pastoral support.
- The curriculum is ‘well designed to meet the needs of pupils’, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with a strong focus on early reading and phonics.
- Leaders have ‘quickly identified key priorities’ since the previous inspection, supported by diligent governors and a strong sense of ‘team’ among staff.
- Attendance is actively managed, with the school being ‘tenacious when following up on absence’ for persistently absent pupils.
- Pupils enjoy a broad curriculum enhanced by educational visits and the ‘Howletch 100’ experiences, demonstrating respectful attitudes towards diversity.
Areas to improve
- Support plans for some pupils with SEND in the wider school ‘do not link closely to their specific needs’, with targets that are ‘too broad’, limiting progress.
- Recent curriculum improvements are ‘still in their infancy’, and assessment in some foundation subjects lacks the precision needed to identify gaps in learning and secure knowledge retention.
- The school must monitor improvements carefully to ensure more pupils ‘achieve in line with expectations’ and are fully prepared for the next stage of education, including in the early years.
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 | 34% |
| 2023/24 | 25% |
| 2024/25 | 44% |
| 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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