Finchale Primary School, Durham
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Finchale Primary School creates a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe and encouraged to thrive. Teachers have strong subject knowledge and deliver reading exceptionally well, with excellent support for children who need extra help. The school places great emphasis on children's wellbeing and personal development, teaching kindness and respect from Reception onwards.
Key Strengths
- Strong phonics teaching and reading programme with excellent support for pupils who fall behind
- Excellent behaviour, manners and positive relationships built on values of kindness, resilience and inclusivity
- Effective support for pupils with SEND who progress well through the curriculum
- Ambitious, well-ordered curriculum with secure subject knowledge from teachers
- Effective personal development with strong focus on mental and physical health
Areas for Improvement
- Teachers do not always check pupils' understanding effectively in lessons, meaning some misconceptions and gaps are not identified
- Teaching strategies to help pupils remember and retain learning long-term are not used consistently well
- Some pupils struggle to connect new learning to previously taught concepts
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Extracurricular Activities
Orchestra, choir, art club, fitness, outdoor pursuits, opera, yoga sessions, Finchale fitness activities, playground leaders, buddy roles
Finchale Primary School has successfully maintained the good standards from its previous inspection. Pupils are proud to be part of this friendly, welcoming school where they thrive academically and personally.
At a Glance
4.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
59 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 80% to 91%. Maths has remained stable at around 84%. Writing has remained stable at around 81%.
Class Sizes
30.2
Avg class size
29.7
Infant (KS1)
30.7
KS2
6
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
100%
Over capacity
209 pupils
210 capacity
1 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Durham
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Durham
Admissions Demand - County Durham
Places available
6,592
Applications
4,491
Got 1st preference
96.4%
Got preferred school
99.2%
Primary admissions across County Durham (2025/26)
Inspection History(7)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
2.87896%
Overall absence
3.74332%
Persistent absence
187
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Finchale Primary School
Nearby Schools
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