Ludworth Primary School, Durham

In its own words: "We are a small school in the North East of England, in County Durham. We have four classes, one of which includes nursery aged children. We also provide free 'Play and Learn' childcare places for eligible two year old children. We have just under one hundred and ten children, from ages two to eleven."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Ludworth Primary School is a small, happy and caring school set within a rural part of County Durham, approximately 5 miles from both Durham city centre and Peterlee in opposite directions. Our most recent OFSTED inspection was in November 2023, which confirmed that this school continues to be a 'GOOD' school."

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Ludworth Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 64% 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 82% in reading and 73% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 9 families put Ludworth Primary School as their first choice and 12 named it as one of their preferences, for 9 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 Ludworth Primary School are Thornley Academy (0.9 miles, 69% reading, 58% maths); Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Shotton (1.6 miles, Good, 90% reading, 81% maths); St Godrics Catholic Primary School, Thornley (1.7 miles, 57% reading, 86% maths); and Wheatley Hill Community Primary School (1.8 miles, Good, 88% reading, 75% maths).

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

50% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 7.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 15 pupils (17.9%) received SEN support and 6 (7.1%) 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.

Ludworth Primary School had 5 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 Ludworth Primary School.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Church (w-bound), 70 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Ludworth Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 25 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84).

In 2024/25, Ludworth Primary School issued 4 suspensions, 4.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.