Finchale Primary School, Durham

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am very proud to serve as Head Teacher of Finchale Primary School and it is my pleasure to introduce you to our school. Our mission statement is: "We see the magic in every child.... and help make them sparkle." We achieve this through high quality teaching and learning , well-matched to the needs and interests of all our pupils."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include multi-sports, karate, choir and orchestra.

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 3 November 2026 and an open day on Friday 6 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 91% of Year 6 pupils at Finchale Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 84% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in County Durham and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 80% in reading and 83% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 29 families put Finchale Primary School as their first choice and 72 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 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 Finchale Primary School are Blue Coat CofE (Aided) Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 84% reading, 80% maths); Durham Newton Hall Infants' School (0.6 miles, Good); St Godric's Catholic Primary School, Durham (0.8 miles, Good, 90% reading, 87% maths); and Framwellgate Moor Primary School (1 mile, Outstanding, 89% reading, 93% maths).

Finchale Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.

59 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Finchale Primary School (as of September 2025): 97% would recommend the school, 98% say their child is happy there and 82% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (98%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (82%).

4.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 12.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 16 pupils (7.7%) received SEN support and 5 (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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Durham Rail Station, about 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Canterbury Road Schools (se-bound), 90 metres away.

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

In August 2026, police recorded 55 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84).

Finchale Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Finchale Primary School are Framwellgate School Durham (1 mile); and St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham (1.6 miles).