West Pelton Primary School
Stanley, DH9 6SQ · County Durham · primary school
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159th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 2.0/10 against 881 of them, against 1.6/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 50.0 · 19 | 40% | 0.76 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
West Pelton Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Cookery, Film Club, Dance, Gardening, and Skipping clubs, or play football and netball. An after-school club is also available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 55 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. 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 specific strategies are used to help children progress to the higher standard? How does the after-school club structure its daily activities?
What Ofsted said about West Pelton Primary School
Overview
West Pelton Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The school fosters a "calm and purposeful atmosphere" where pupils have "positive attitudes to their learning" and achieve well across many subjects. Leaders successfully widen pupils’ horizons through meaningful educational experiences, preparing them well for life beyond Year 6.
Strengths
- Pupils learn important knowledge and skills, supported by an effective curriculum that emphasises key vocabulary and reinforces learning over a two-year cycle.
- The school ensures pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access a broad and balanced curriculum, with carefully considered catch-up sessions.
- Phonics teaching is well-matched to ability, with regular checks and extra support for those who need it, ensuring pupils read books with sounds they know.
- Pupils understand the importance of good behaviour through "restorative" conversations and learn how to keep themselves safe, knowing they have a right to speak to staff.
- Governors hold the school to account, asking questions and challenging where necessary to ensure continued improvement.
Areas to improve
- In mathematics, tasks for some pupils, particularly "expert mathematicians," do not enable them to deepen their mathematical knowledge or respond in depth.
- Strategies to help pupils, especially those with SEND, connect current learning with prior knowledge are not fully developed, making some lessons difficult to access.
- The attendance of some pupils remains too low, meaning they miss out on essential learning; the school must further strengthen its work to improve this.
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 | 50% |
| 2023/24 | 63% |
| 2024/25 | 50% |
| 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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