St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston, Chester le Street
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Chester le Street, part of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust. It has a Roman Catholic religious character. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 11th-highest of the 16 schools in Chester le Street with published results, and 7,071st of 14,452 across England. It was 92% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to County Durham (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston in detail
Results
In 2025, 81% of Year 6 pupils at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston reached the expected standard in reading and 74% 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 81% in reading and 52% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston
For September 2026 entry, 21 families put St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston as their first choice and 40 named it as one of their preferences, for 21 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston are Ouston Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 73% reading, 62% maths); Pelton Community Primary School (0.5 miles, 61% reading, 67% maths); Barley Mow Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 60% reading, 63% maths); and St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley (1.3 miles, 94% reading, 94% maths).
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.
Ouston Primary SchoolPelton Community Primary SchoolBarley Mow Primary SchoolSt Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley
The trust
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston is one of 47 schools run by Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 69% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
What parents say
53 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston (as of September 2025): 83% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 58% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (96%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (58%).
Who goes there
6.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 31 pupils (14.3%) received SEN support and 5 (2.3%) 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.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Station Road, about 2 miles away in a straight line.
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Penhill Close (e-bound), 130 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston issued 5 suspensions, 2.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in March 2021. Before that, as St Benet's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School (URN 114244), it was rated Outstanding in December 2011.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's December 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
St Benet's is a welcoming, happy school where pupils thrive in a supportive Catholic environment. The school excels at building strong reading skills from Nursery onwards, with children developing genuine enthusiasm for books. Pupils benefit from a wide range of enriching activities and develop excellent character through the school's focus on moral values and self-regulation.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional pupil behaviour and conduct - pupils are respectful, responsible and learn without distraction
- Strong reading provision with expert phonics implementation - most pupils become fluent readers quickly and develop a genuine love of reading
- Excellent personal development programme promoting character, moral values and self-regulation through extra-curricular clubs and pupil leadership roles
- Well-designed, knowledge-rich curriculum in most areas, particularly history and geography
- Good support for pupils with SEND who access the curriculum fully and achieve well
Areas for Improvement
- Historical inconsistencies in mathematics curriculum delivery have left some pupils with gaps in mathematical knowledge - school is working to address this
- Outdoor learning environment in early years is underdeveloped and does not support children's learning as effectively as the indoor environment
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with an open and positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Sports clubs, arts clubs, nature clubs, breakfast club, after-school club, pupil leadership roles, Years 5 and 6 buddies programme, key stage 2 Minni Vinnies food bank collection
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston is a vibrant school where pupils are happy, safe and aspirational. The school has developed an ambitious, knowledge-rich curriculum and successfully recovered from building closures caused by RAAC discovery.
At a Glance
6.9%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
53 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 81% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 52% to 74% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 74% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
25.7
Avg class size
28.0
Infant (KS1)
27.5
KS2
6
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston is in County Durham; for families living there:
- County Durham's school travel policy: School transport policies and strategies
- How to apply: Apply for free home to school travel
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 4
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 4 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt.
0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in County Durham is 5 (the median across 280 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston
Will you get a place at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston:
- The straight-line distance from your home to St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from County Durham, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston for 2022 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in County Durham got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
92%
Near capacity
194 pupils
210 places
16 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Chester le Street
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Chester le Street
Across County Durham council
Places available
6,581
Applications
4,409
Got 1st preference
97.3%
Got preferred school
99.4%
All primary applications across County Durham council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
31
SEN Support
5
EHC Plans
16.6%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
217
Total Pupils
109
Boys
108
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
11
Teachers
19.7:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£49,522
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,086
Per pupil
£1077k
Total funding
£20k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.4%
Overall absence
3.5%
Persistent absence
173
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston
Questions parents ask about St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston
What are SATs results like at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston?
Of the pupils at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 81% reached the expected standard in reading and 74% did so in maths.
What is St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston's Ofsted rating?
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in March 2021. Before that, as St Benet's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School (URN 114244), it was rated Outstanding in December 2011.
What is the catchment area for St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston?
No fixed boundary. When St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston is oversubscribed, County Durham allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston?
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston was not full in 2025: it ran at 92% of its 210 places.
How big are the classes at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston?
Classes at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston average 25.7 pupils (2025/26). 2 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston?
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston has around 217 pupils on roll. 7% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston?
3.4% of sessions were missed at St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston in 2024/25. 3.5% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston?
Apply through County Durham's coordinated admissions process, naming St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 4 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt. 0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in County Durham is 5 (the median across 280 schools, same distance and years).
Where is St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston?
St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston is at St Benet's Way, Ouston, Chester le Street, County Durham, DH2 1QX.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)