West Rainton Primary School
Houghton le Spring, DH4 6RN · County Durham · primary school
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72nd 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 — 7.0/10 against 1,013 of them, against 5.3/10 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 | 76.0 · 80 | 40% | 3.19 |
| 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 Rainton Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 76.0% 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% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Construction, Imagination, Cookery, Computing, Fun and Games, and Y6 Booster clubs. Sports include SAFC football, netball, and gymnastics, alongside dance and steel drumming. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 148 pupils against a stated capacity of 168. 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 activities are included in the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about West Rainton Primary School
Overview
West Rainton Primary School continues to be a good school, characterised by a "strong culture of inclusivity" where pupils feel at home and safe. Leaders have designed a "well-considered curriculum" that successfully develops academic knowledge alongside rich cultural experiences, earning high esteem from parents and staff.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "rigorous curriculum" with "impressive knowledge of mathematics" and strong recall of taught content.
- Early reading is "very well taught," with an established phonics approach and "inspired choices" in book selection that pupils adore.
- Staff provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), particularly those with language and communication needs.
- The school fosters strong community links, including visits to local residential homes and places of worship, developing pupils’ citizenship.
- Behaviour is positive, bullying is "extremely rare," and there is a clear "team spirit" among staff who feel well led.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, leaders have not identified the most important knowledge for retrieval practice, meaning teachers lack clarity on what to prioritise for recall and assessment.
- Some end-of-unit checks are "not as useful as they could be" for verifying pupil understanding.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with well-established systems, frequent staff training, and timely responses to concerns to keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 63% |
| 2023/24 | 76% |
| 2024/25 | 76% |
| 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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