Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School, Durham

Ofsted's report card from its 30 June 2026 inspection grades Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Attendance at the school is strong and continues to be a priority for leaders, staff and families."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school's personal development, wellbeing and behaviour programme is carefully designed to support pupils to become confident, respectful and responsible members of society."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve well across the curriculum from their different starting points."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a broad and carefully sequenced curriculum that builds pupils' knowledge step by step from the early years to Year 6."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children make a positive start to their education in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school is an inclusive community where staff know pupils well and are alert to their individual needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and accurate understanding of the school's strengths and priorities for improvement."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should strategically monitor the impact of interventions to ensure that they are having the desired impact on pupils' outcomes".

In 2025, 67% of Year 6 pupils at Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 73% 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 83% in reading and 92% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 10 families put Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School as their first choice and 26 named it as one of their preferences, for 10 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 Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School are St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Esh Village (under 0.1 miles, Good, 95% reading, 90% maths); Langley Park Primary School (1 mile, Requires improvement, 60% reading, 65% maths); Esh Winning Academy (1.7 miles, 66% reading, 66% maths); and Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery (2.2 miles, Good, 72% reading, 69% maths).

Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School is one of 13 schools run by Melrose Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 68% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

14.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (87%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 16 pupils (16.3%) received SEN support and 2 (2%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School had 6 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 Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hillcrest (e-bound), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 11 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).

Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.