Tanfield Lea Community Primary School
Stanley, DH9 9LU · County Durham · primary school
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154th 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 — 4.8/10 against 2,104 of them, against 3.9/10 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 | 64.0 · 49 | 40% | 1.97 |
| Ofsted | 13 | 35% | 0.45 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Tanfield Lea Community Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 64.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, matching the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 2.0% of pupils, compared to the national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in May 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils access Lintz CC’s All Stars Cricket, Greencroft Netball Club, Karate, Pauline Cook School of Dance, Beamish Football Club, AAA Sports – Gymnastics and Trampolining, Creative Dance North East, and Consett RFC. They also participate in Learn to Swim and Derwentside Athletics Club, with trips to Grinton Youth Hostel.
Getting in
The published school roll is 325 pupils against a stated capacity of 400. 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 do not reach the higher standard in maths? What specific areas did the May 2026 inspection highlight for improvement?
What Ofsted said about Tanfield Lea Community Primary School
Overview
Tanfield Lea Community Primary School is described as a "safe, exciting and happy place where pupils thrive." The report highlights "strong" standards in attendance, behaviour, and early years provision, while noting that achievement, curriculum, inclusion, leadership, and personal development meet the "expected standard." Overall, pupils are "well-prepared for their next stage of education."
Strengths
- Attendance is a "strong standard," with rates "well below national averages" for persistent absence and increasing year on year.
- Behaviour is rated "strong," with bullying being "rare" and classrooms described as "very calm and purposeful spaces."
- The early years provision is a "strength," where children "thrive in a warm and welcoming environment" and make "rapid and sustained progress."
- Staff and leaders foster a "positive culture" with high morale, effective professional development, and strong engagement with parents.
- Inclusion is robust, with leaders acting as "tenacious advocates of equality" and providing "carefully tailored support" for vulnerable pupils.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure support strategies for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are used "consistently across all classes and key stages."
- Leaders should ensure expectations for pupils' handwriting, spelling, and grammar are in place "across all curriculum subjects," as these are currently less accurate outside English lessons.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns being "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 69% |
| 2023/24 | 63% |
| 2024/25 | 64% |
| 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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