Escomb Primary School, Bishop Auckland

Ofsted's report card from its 31 March 2026 inspection grades Escomb Primary School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, progress well across the curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders closely monitor the attendance of all pupils."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders understand where there are strengths and areas for improvement across the curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a suitable curriculum in the early years provision."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders know their pupils well."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the strengths and areas for improvement in the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils benefit from a well-sequenced personal development programme."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure the provision for developing pupils writing skills, including handwriting and spelling, is highly effective and embedded across all subjects and phases"; "Leaders should ensure that the teaching of the curriculum, particularly across foundation subjects, effectively secures pupils knowledge before moving on to new content"; "Leaders should ensure pupils are supported to achieve at the highest levels at the end of key stage 2, increasing the number of pupils who reach the higher standard or greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics"; "Leaders should ensure their actions continue to reduce barriers to attendance, reducing persistent absence for all pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities".

In 2025, 79% of Year 6 pupils at Escomb Primary School 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 85% in reading and 85% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 15 families put Escomb Primary School as their first choice and 43 named it as one of their preferences, for 17 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 Escomb Primary School are St Chad's Catholic Primary School, Witton Park (1 mile, Good, 75% reading, 75% maths); St Anne's CofE Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 80% reading, 83% maths); St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School, Bishop Auckland (1.2 miles, 50% reading, 70% maths); and Etherley Lane Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 73% reading, 75% maths).

Escomb Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

25 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Escomb Primary School (as of April 2026): 88% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 75% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (75%).

13.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 17 pupils (10.6%) received SEN support and 9 (5.6%) 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 autism.

Escomb Primary School had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Bishop Auckland West Weardale Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Primary School (n-bound), 30 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 13 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84).

In 2024/25, Escomb Primary School issued 10 suspensions, 6.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Escomb Primary School are Bishop Barrington Academy (1 mile), St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College (1 mile) and King James I Academy Bishop Auckland (1.7 miles).