Benfieldside Primary School has closed (Monday 31 August 2026).
It became an academy, which has a new school record. The school at this address is now Benfieldside Primary School.
Benfieldside Primary School, Consett
Benfieldside Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Consett. It was rated Requires improvement at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in February 2022. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in June 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 7th-highest of the 14 schools in Consett with published results, and 10,716th of 14,452 across England. It was 57% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Requires improvement (2022)
- 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 County Durham (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Benfieldside Primary School in detail
Results
In 2025, 72% of Year 6 pupils at Benfieldside Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 66% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in County Durham and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 85% in reading and 78% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Benfieldside Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 17 families put Benfieldside Primary School as their first choice and 34 named it as one of their preferences, for 18 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 Benfieldside Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Benfieldside Primary School are Benfieldside Primary School (under 0.1 miles); St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Blackhill (0.4 miles, 78% reading, 81% maths); Shotley Bridge Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 76% reading, 75% maths); and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Consett (1 mile, 70% reading, 60% maths).
Benfieldside Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.
Benfieldside Primary SchoolSt Mary's Catholic Primary School, BlackhillShotley Bridge Primary SchoolSt Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Consett
Who goes there
52.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 39 pupils (21.9%) received SEN support and 3 (1.7%) 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.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Benfieldside Primary School.
13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Old Post Office (s-bound), 90 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 129 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Benfieldside Primary School issued 1 suspension, 0.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
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; 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 · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Requires Improvement at its February 2022 inspection - down from Good.
Rated Good for
Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development.
Areas Ofsted flagged
Quality of education (Requires Improvement), Leadership & management (Requires Improvement), Early years (Requires Improvement).
At a Glance
52.2%
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 declined from 85% to 72% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 78% to 66% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 67% to 62% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
22.1
Avg class size
18.7
Infant (KS1)
24.8
KS2
7
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Social & online
Keep up with Benfieldside Primary School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Benfieldside Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Benfieldside Primary School is in County Durham; for families living there:
- County Durham's school travel policy: School transport policies and strategies
- How to apply: Apply for free home to school travel
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Benfieldside Primary School
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
57%
Available places
170 pupils
299 places
129 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Consett
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Consett
Across County Durham council
Places available
6,581
Applications
4,409
Got 1st preference
97.3%
Got preferred school
99.4%
All primary applications across County Durham council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
39
SEN Support
3
EHC Plans
23.6%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
178
Total Pupils
101
Boys
77
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
10
Teachers
17.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£56,577
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,432
Per pupil
£1310k
Total funding
£145k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
8.1%
Overall absence
28.6%
Persistent absence
154
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Benfieldside Primary School
What are SATs results like at Benfieldside Primary School?
Of the pupils at Benfieldside Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 72% reached the expected standard in reading and 66% did so in maths.
What is Benfieldside Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Benfieldside Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in February 2022, it was rated Requires Improvement.
What is the catchment area for Benfieldside Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Benfieldside Primary School is oversubscribed, County Durham allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Benfieldside Primary School?
Benfieldside Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 57% of its 299 places.
How big are the classes at Benfieldside Primary School?
Classes at Benfieldside Primary School average 22.1 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Benfieldside Primary School?
Benfieldside Primary School has around 178 pupils on roll. 52% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Benfieldside Primary School?
8.1% of sessions were missed at Benfieldside Primary School in 2024/25. 28.6% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Benfieldside Primary School?
Apply through County Durham's coordinated admissions process, naming Benfieldside 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.
Where is Benfieldside Primary School?
Benfieldside Primary School is at Moorlands, Blackhill, Consett, County Durham, DH8 0JX.