Acre Rigg Infant School, Peterlee

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Acre Rigg Infant School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have a rigorous approach to improving attendance."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion is prioritised by all staff."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically achieve well."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed the curriculum to ensure that it sets out the key knowledge, skills and vocabulary that pupils need to know from Nursery to the end of Year 2."

Early years - Expected standard. "Early years leaders have created an inspiring and well-resourced environment."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know the school well and understand both its strengths and the areas that need more work."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have planned a coherent and relevant programme for pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should further embed the teaching of handwriting so that pupils consistently use an efficient pencil grip and form their letters and numbers correctly"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils who are still at the early stage of learning to read are supported to catch up swiftly by consistently providing books that allow pupils to precisely practise and embed their phonics knowledge".

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to be the Head Teacher of Acre Rigg Infant School, having been the Deputy Head Teacher, I have a passion for the school, for our children and the community in which we live."

The school runs after-school care.

For September 2026 entry, 38 families put Acre Rigg Infant School as their first choice and 77 named it as one of their preferences, for 40 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Acre Rigg Infant School are Acre Rigg Academy (under 0.1 miles, Good, 61% reading, 59% maths); Howletch Lane Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 58% reading, 56% maths); Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 84% reading, 91% maths); and Seascape Academy (0.9 miles).

52.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 59 pupils (23.4%) received SEN support and 10 (4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

Acre Rigg Infant School had 13 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Horden, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Franklyn Road (w-bound), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 309 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84), as is usual near a town centre.

Acre Rigg Infant School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Acre Rigg Infant School are St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College (0.6 miles), Easington Academy (1.1 miles), The Academy at Shotton Hall (1.2 miles) and Dene Academy (1.3 miles).