St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Sacriston
Durham, DH7 6AB · County Durham · primary school
Check the area around this school
29th 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 — 8.5/10 against 3,673 of them, against 7.9/10 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 | 78.0 · 84 | 40% | 3.36 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 11.0 · 71 | 25% | 1.77 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Sacriston overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 78.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 11.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Class 4 pupils go on a residential trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 97 pupils against a stated capacity of 112. 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 not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What does a typical day look like for the Class 4 residential trip? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Sacriston
Overview
St Bede’s Catholic Primary School is described as a “safe and caring place to learn” where Christian values are central. The inspection found that leaders have high expectations for behaviour, resulting in a “calm and purposeful environment” where disruption is rare. Pupils feel secure, with warm relationships with staff and a strong focus on mental health and pastoral care.
Strengths
- The curriculum is designed to help pupils “learn and remember more,” with a strong emphasis on reading and mathematics.
- Staff are “well trained” in phonics, using a “well-constructed” programme that enables pupils to become “confident and fluent readers.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the same curriculum as their peers, supported by expert help when needed.
- Behaviour is excellent, with pupils showing “consideration for each other, and courtesy to adults” and playing cooperatively at breaktimes.
- Staff appreciate the support from leaders, who work hard to “remove unnecessary workload.”
Areas to improve
- The sequencing of the curriculum is “not consistently strong across all foundation subjects,” leading to missed opportunities for deepening understanding in areas like history.
- Assessment in some subjects is “not used effectively to check what pupils remember,” resulting in gaps in knowledge.
- Communication with parents has been “unclear,” limiting their ability to support their children, though a new system is being introduced.
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 | 40% |
| 2023/24 | 54% |
| 2024/25 | 78% |
| 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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