Butterknowle Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 February 2026

This is a small, friendly school, where pupils and staff are happy, respected and valued. Pupils attend regularly and they enjoy learning here. They feel safe and cared for. Everyone shows kindness and respect for each other. This is especially evident as pupils of different ages learn together in the mixed-aged classes. Pupils report that behaviour is generally positive, which helps them to learn. However, at less structured times of the day it can become boisterous. Pupils say bullying doesn't happen here, but if it did the staff would deal with it swiftly. The school has recently been through a period of change. It is now part of the Durham Dales Partnership. New leaders and governors have lost no time in identifying areas which need to be improved and in raising expectations for pupils' achievement. They are working well with staff to make these improvements at pace. A new curriculum has been introduced. It ensures that all pupils, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities or other barriers to learning, have access to a broad range of subjects. However, there remains more to do to ensure that all pupils secure the essential basic knowledge in reading, writing and mathematics. Currently, a number of pupils in key stage 2 have gaps in what they know and remember. This prevents them from achieving as well as they should. Pupils develop a sense of belonging to the community. Parents and carers are regularly welcomed into the school for specific events, such as to learn about online safety. Pupils are also encouraged to learn about the world beyond the school. This is an area which leaders are keen to develop further.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should further develop the expertise of staff so that they consistently enhance the opportunities and experiences of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Leaders should develop staff confidence in using the newly introduced curriculum to design learning activities which deepen pupils' knowledge and enable teachers to check learning effectively.
• Leaders should ensure that pupils in key stage 2 are given swift support to gain the foundational knowledge they need to achieve well at the end of Year 6.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)