Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law
Smith Street, Tow Law, Bishop Auckland, DL13 4AUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law is a primary school in Bishop Auckland for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 271 schools in County Durham. It ranks 21st of 22 primary schools in Bishop Auckland. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 28 January 2025, report published 12 March 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 28 January 2025
Pupils thrive in the family atmosphere of this small, friendly school. Staff have created a nurturing environment for all pupils. They know the pupils and families well. Relationships are strong. Pupils trust staff to look after them. Pupils feel safe and valued. The school has the highest ambition for all pupils, both in their learning and behaviour. Pupils rise to meet these expectations. They display positive attitudes to learning. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive highly effective support. They are fully involved in the life of the school. Pupils are polite and respectful. They strive to embody the school's values, which include compassion, self-belief and honesty. Pupils behave consistently well in lessons and during social times. The school offers pupils a range of wider opportunities. These excite and engage pupils while enhancing their learning. For example, visits beyond the school's rural locality to Durham and Newcastle ensure that pupils are well prepared for life beyond the school. Pupils talk enthusiastically about their learning in the outdoor environment. Their work with local community groups teaches them to be accepting of difference.
What the school should improve
- Oversight of how well the new two-year curriculum is being implemented is at an early stage of development. This means that the school does not have a full and accurate view of how well pupils are learning the new curriculum. The school should ensure they understand how effective the new curriculum is in improving pupil's skills and knowledge.
- The school has recently made adaptations to the mathematics curriculum. This means that it is not yet fully embedded. The school should develop robust systems to identify when pupils are not progressing and provide them with the support needed.
- Some pupils do not attend school as regularly as they should. This means that they miss out on learning important knowledge in the curriculum. The school should continue to work with families to improve pupils' attendance and ensure that the strategies in place are having a measurable impact.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
9 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
83 pupils on roll, with places for 84
Schools near Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tow Law Millennium Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 54% met the expected standard |
| Peases West Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 58% met the expected standard |
| Wolsingham Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 76% met the expected standard |
| Stanley (Crook) Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 60% met the expected standard |
| Hartside Primary Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- BISHOP HOGARTH CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Miss Jenna Ellison
- Phone
- 01388731082
- Address
- Smith Street, Tow Law, Bishop Auckland, DL13 4AU
- Local authority
- County Durham
- URN
- 148916
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.