Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law, Bishop Auckland

In its own words: "Welcome to Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School. I am very proud to be the Headteacher of this welcoming and caring school, where everyone is encouraged to join us in 'moving forward together'. At Blessed John Duckett we have a wonderful school where "there is a close relationship between staff, pupils and families that gives the school a family feel"."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our school isn't just about academics; it's about becoming part of a welcoming family where every child is cherished and nurtured. Our warm and nurturing environment fosters a sense of belonging, creating one big community where everyone feels valued and supported."

The school runs a breakfast club from 8:00am and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 9am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 56% of Year 6 pupils at Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law reached the expected standard in reading and 22% 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 86% in reading and 43% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 7 families put Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law as their first choice and 11 named it as one of their preferences, for 7 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law are Tow Law Millennium Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 54% reading, 77% maths); Peases West Academy (2.7 miles, 75% reading, 75% maths); Wolsingham Primary School (2.9 miles, Good, 88% reading, 88% maths); and Stanley (Crook) Primary School (3 miles, Good, 80% reading, 73% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law.

Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law is one of 35 schools run by Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

22 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law (as of September 2025): 91% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that the school supports their child's wider development (73%).

0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 18 pupils (21.7%) received SEN support and 2 (2.4%) 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.

Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law had 6 teachers in 2026, one for every 11 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Wolsingham Rail Station, about 3.2 miles away in a straight line.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Dans Castle - Methodist Church (nw-bound), 260 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law 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 38 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84).

In 2024/25, Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law issued 2 suspensions, 2.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.