Barley Mow Primary School, Chester le Street
Barley Mow Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Chester le Street. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in November 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in February 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 16th-highest of the 16 schools in Chester le Street with published results, and 12,633rd of 14,452 across England. It was 69% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2014)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Gateshead (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Barley Mow Primary School in detail
Barley Mow Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "Our shared vision is for every child to become a successful, independent, resilient, lifelong learner, who can achieve and grow in a nurturing and creative environment prepared for our ever changing world. The ethos and values of the school underpin all that we do."
The school runs a breakfast club.
Vision and values (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 60% of Year 6 pupils at Barley Mow Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 63% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 79% in Gateshead and 77% and 75% across England.
Results were similar in 2024 (61% in reading, 67% in maths).
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Barley Mow Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 13 families put Barley Mow Primary School as their first choice and 20 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Barley Mow Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Barley Mow Primary School are Portobello Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 77% reading, 81% maths); St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley (0.7 miles, 94% reading, 94% maths); Rickleton Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 96% reading, 96% maths); and Ravensworth Terrace Primary School (1 mile, Good, 80% reading, 78% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than Barley Mow Primary School.
Portobello Primary SchoolSt Joseph's Catholic Junior School, BirtleyRickleton Primary SchoolRavensworth Terrace Primary School
Who goes there
45.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.
Staffing
Barley Mow Primary School had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Station Road, about 2.1 miles away in a straight line.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Renfrew Place (sw-bound), 60 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Barley Mow Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 80 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Gateshead (176).
Suspensions and exclusions
Barley Mow Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Barley Mow Primary School are Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy (0.6 miles) and Oxclose Community Academy (1.3 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoThis judgement is from November 2014, 11 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's February 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Barley Mow is a caring school where your child will feel safe and supported. Teachers know their pupils well and deliver interesting, challenging lessons. The school supports all learners, including those with additional needs, and provides plenty of enriching experiences to broaden children's learning beyond the classroom.
Key Strengths
- Strong teaching of phonics and reading, with effective support for pupils who need extra help
- Well-structured mathematics curriculum with improving outcomes through consistent teaching and regular assessment
- Inclusive provision for pupils with SEND who access the same curriculum as their peers
- Engaging lessons that capture pupils' enthusiasm, particularly in algebra, history and reading
- Enrichment opportunities including residential visits, museum trips and leadership roles for pupils
Areas for Improvement
- Writing outcomes are not as strong as reading, mathematics and science - the curriculum for writing needs to be more fully established and consistently implemented
- Some pupils do not achieve as well in writing as expected
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff creating an open and positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Residential educational visits, visits to Centre for Life and Beamish Museum, performing on stage, school council, library roles, mini-police, charity events, breakfast club
Barley Mow Primary School is a warm and welcoming school where pupils behave well and feel safe. The school continues to be judged as good, with strong positive relationships between staff and pupils.
At a Glance
45.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 60% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 67% to 63% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 70% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
19.3
Avg class size
20.5
Infant (KS1)
21.3
KS2
6
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Latest from Barley Mow Primary School
2nd October 26
2 Oct 2026
25th September 26
25 Sep 2026
11th September 26
11 Sep 2026
4th September 26
4 Sep 2026
17th July 26
17 Jul 2026
3rd July 26
3 Jul 2026
From Barley Mow Primary School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Barley Mow Primary School
Before and after school care
Barley Mow Primary School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Source: Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme, Department for Education Free breakfast clubs in Gateshead
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Barley Mow Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Barley Mow Primary School is in Gateshead; for families living there:
Apply to Gateshead for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 8
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 5 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Gateshead is 11 (the median across 93 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Barley Mow Primary School
Will you get a place at Barley Mow Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Barley Mow Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Barley Mow Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Barley Mow Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Gateshead, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Barley Mow Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Gateshead got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
69%
Available places
145 pupils
210 places
65 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Chester le Street
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Chester le Street
Across Gateshead council
Places available
2,494
Applications
1,785
Got 1st preference
98.1%
Got preferred school
99.8%
All primary applications across Gateshead council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
25
SEN Support
8
EHC Plans
21.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
155
Total Pupils
80
Boys
75
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
11
Teachers
14.1:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£49,840
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,717
Per pupil
£1128k
Total funding
£102k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.4%
Overall absence
22.1%
Persistent absence
131
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Barley Mow Primary School
Questions parents ask about Barley Mow Primary School
What are SATs results like at Barley Mow Primary School?
Of the pupils at Barley Mow Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 60% reached the expected standard in reading and 63% did so in maths.
What is Barley Mow Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Barley Mow Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in November 2014, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Barley Mow Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Barley Mow Primary School is oversubscribed, Gateshead allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Barley Mow Primary School?
Barley Mow Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 69% of its 210 places.
How big are the classes at Barley Mow Primary School?
Classes at Barley Mow Primary School average 19.3 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Barley Mow Primary School?
Barley Mow Primary School has around 155 pupils on roll. 46% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Barley Mow Primary School?
7.4% of sessions were missed at Barley Mow Primary School in 2024/25. 22.1% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Barley Mow Primary School?
Apply through Gateshead's coordinated admissions process, naming Barley Mow Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does Barley Mow Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Barley Mow Primary School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school.
How many road collisions happen near Barley Mow Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 5 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Gateshead is 11 (the median across 93 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Barley Mow Primary School?
Barley Mow Primary School is at Pembroke Avenue, Barley Mow, Chester le Street, County Durham, DH3 2DJ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)