Ouston Primary School, Chester le Street

Ofsted's report card from its 2 June 2026 inspection grades Ouston Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have a passion for inclusion."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well at school."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance is a notable strength at Ouston."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of the curriculum and its delivery."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a positive start to their early education."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Two striking features of leadership at this school are the commitment to supporting the most vulnerable and the positive relationships that are in place with parents and carers."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's personal development programme makes a positive contribution to pupils' development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should review the extent to which the personal development programme has a positive impact in all areas. They should make refinements as appropriate, so that pupils develop a greater understanding of the world around them, specifically different religions and cultures"; "Leaders should ensure that the right balance of direct teaching and independent work is in place across classrooms so that pupils deepen their learning and make even more progress in their learning".

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Ouston Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 62% 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 82% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 31 families put Ouston Primary School as their first choice and 47 named it as one of their preferences, for 31 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 Ouston Primary School are St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston (0.2 miles, 81% reading, 74% maths); Pelton Community Primary School (0.7 miles, 61% reading, 67% maths); St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley (1.3 miles, 94% reading, 94% maths); and Barley Mow Primary School (1.3 miles, Good, 60% reading, 63% maths).

Ouston Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Ouston Primary School is one of 2 schools run by Jigsaw Learning Trust, an academy trust.

14.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 42 pupils (16.2%) received SEN support and 1 (0.4%) 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 Station Road, about 2.2 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Penhill Close (e-bound), 340 metres away.

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