St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School
Durham, DH1 3DQ · County Durham · primary school
Check the area around this school
57th 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 the 3,837 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.9/10 among them, against 6.2/10 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 | 74.0 · 76 | 40% | 3.02 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 74.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 5.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.9 out of 10 among them, against 6.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Spanish Club, Drama Club, Multi-Sports Clubs, Football, and the Choir.
Getting in
The published school roll is 137 pupils against a stated capacity of 140. 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 reaching the higher standard in core subjects? What specific activities are included in the Multi-Sports Clubs during the term? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School
Overview
St Oswald’s Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School continues to be a good school. Pupils enjoy attending, feel safe, and benefit from respectful relationships with staff who hold high expectations. The curriculum is generally well-designed to build knowledge, though specific improvements are needed in art and design.
Strengths
- Pupils feel safe, know who to speak to with worries, and understand how to build and restore friendships.
- Leaders have developed a curriculum that helps pupils gain a sense of place and identity, with clear ‘take aways’ for foundation subjects.
- Reading is a priority; phonics is well taught, and books are chosen to reflect pupils’ interests and support wider learning.
- In mathematics, teachers revisit previous knowledge, helping pupils make connections and solve problems confidently.
- Staff workload is considered, with recent changes to feedback and marking appreciated by teachers.
Areas to improve
- In art and design, the curriculum does not show specific knowledge and skills for each stage, preventing pupils from building on prior learning.
- Some teachers lack subject-specific professional development in art and design, meaning pupils are not always introduced to new learning effectively.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training, leaders acting quickly on concerns, and appropriate safer recruitment procedures in place.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 86% |
| 2023/24 | 80% |
| 2024/25 | 74% |
| 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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