Blackfell Primary School, Washington

Ofsted's report card from its 3 February 2026 inspection grades Blackfell Primary School on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "By the end of key stage 2, pupils achieve broadly in line with the national averages in reading, writing and mathematics."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Overall attendance is in line with the national average."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The curriculum is appropriate and has been sequenced well so that pupils learn key knowledge and skills over time."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Inclusion is prioritised by leaders, who are ambitious for all pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors have strong oversight of the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils' wellbeing is a priority for leaders and staff at the school."

Early years - Needs attention. "The activities provided for pupils in Nursery and Reception sometimes limit their learning."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should further develop the curriculum to ensure that it is specifically tailored to the changing context and needs of the pupils in school"; "Leaders should further strengthen the use of assessment effectively within lessons to identify misconceptions and gaps in pupils' knowledge promptly so these can be addressed without delay"; "Leaders should ensure that the early years curriculum and teaching extend and embed children's reading, writing and mathematical development"; "Leaders should further support staff to strengthen the quality of their interactions with children in the early years so that these consistently build on children's knowledge and extend their vocabulary and learning".

In its own words: "At Blackfell Primary School, every child is supported to feel safe, happy, and confident within a warm, inclusive, and nurturing community. We celebrate diversity and ensure that all children are valued, respected, and able to flourish, reflecting our commitment to inclusion and safeguarding in everything we do."

From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of all the staff and governors, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to Blackfell Primary School. We are very proud of our children, our staff and our community, and we hope this gives you a clear sense of what makes our school so special. At Blackfell, children are at the heart of everything we do."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama, STEM, gardening and art.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care, from £2.50 per session.

In 2025, 95% of Year 6 pupils at Blackfell Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 85% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 78% in Sunderland and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 73% in reading and 67% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 14 families put Blackfell Primary School as their first choice and 22 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.

The nearest other state primary schools to Blackfell Primary School are St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington (0.3 miles, Outstanding, 83% reading, 87% maths); Oxclose Primary Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 63% reading, 63% maths); Albany Village Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 68% reading, 68% maths); and Holley Park Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 77% reading, 84% maths).

Blackfell Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

27 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Blackfell Primary School (as of April 2026): 96% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (96%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

37.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 2.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 32 pupils (22.5%) received SEN support and 3 (2.1%) 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.

Blackfell Primary School had 9 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Blackfell Primary School.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Knoulberry Road - Shunner Close (s-bound), 110 metres away.

Blackfell Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Blackfell Primary School are Oxclose Community Academy (0.5 miles), Washington Academy (1.1 miles), Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy (1.2 miles) and Biddick Academy (1.4 miles).