Brandon Primary Academy, Durham

In its own words: "Our mission is to foster a culture of success within a positive, inclusive, and inspiring learning environment. We aim to prepare children for the next stages of their education and for life beyond school by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and enthusiasm to become lifelong learners. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do."

From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of the Academy Council and staff, I would like to take this opportunity to offer both you and your child a sincere and warm welcome to our school. Brandon Primary Academy is an exciting place to learn."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care.

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Brandon Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 68% 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 75% in reading and 78% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 36 families put Brandon Primary Academy as their first choice and 48 named it as one of their preferences, for 36 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 Brandon Primary Academy are Browney Primary Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 75% reading, 75% maths); St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Langley Moor (0.7 miles, 78% reading, 78% maths); Langley Moor Primary School (1 mile, Good, 90% reading, 87% maths); and New Brancepeth Primary Academy (1.5 miles, 77% reading, 86% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Brandon Primary Academy.

Brandon Primary Academy is one of 23 schools run by Advance Learning Partnership, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 57% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

44 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Brandon Primary Academy (as of September 2025): 89% would recommend the school, 91% say their child is happy there and 53% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child does well at the school (96%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (53%).

55% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 9.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 85 pupils (30.4%) received SEN support and 10 (3.6%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Durham Rail Station, about 2.7 miles away in a straight line.

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Carr Avenue (se-bound), 110 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Brandon Primary Academy stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Brandon Primary Academy issued 10 suspensions, 3.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.