Finchale Primary School
Canterbury Road, Newton Hall, Durham, DH1 5XTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Finchale Primary School is a primary school in Durham for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 271 schools in County Durham. It ranks 5th of 42 primary schools in Durham. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2015.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 13 January 2015, report published 3 February 2015
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 7 May 2025
Pupils are proud to be part of the 'Finchale family'. This is a friendly and welcoming school. There are high expectations of pupils. The school's work is underpinned by clear values, such as resilience, inclusivity and kindness, that are lived out every day. Pupils thrive here. They enjoy learning, feel safe and attend very well. Pupils achieve highly. From the start of Reception, the school successfully teaches pupils the importance of kindness and respect. This ensures that pupils build positive relationships with each other. At playtime, there is a hive of activity as pupils play cooperatively and creatively together. In lessons, pupils pay attention, join in and work hard. They receive regular praise and encouragement from staff, which boosts their confidence. The school is deeply committed to pupils' personal development. It encourages pupils to try new things and to step out of their comfort zone. For example, pupils enjoy opportunities to take part in outdoor pursuits and perform opera. There is a wide range of clubs and activities available for pupils to develop their interests and talents, such as orchestra, choir, art club and fitness.
What the school should improve
- In some lessons, teachers do not check pupils' understanding effectively. This can lead to gaps in pupils' learning or misconceptions which are not identified or corrected. The school should continue to support teachers to use assessment strategies consistently to help pupils to build their knowledge securely over time.
- In some cases, the teaching of foundation subjects does not help pupils to transfer learning into their long-term memory. Some pupils struggle to remember key concepts over time. The school should ensure that its approaches to helping pupils embed learning in their long-term memory are effective and used consistently well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
32 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
209 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Finchale Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Coat CofE (Aided) Junior School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 65% met the expected standard |
| Durham Newton Hall Infants' School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Not published |
| St Godric's Catholic Primary School, Durham | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 73% met the expected standard |
| Framwellgate Moor Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Outstanding | 87% met the expected standard |
| Durham Gilesgate Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 50% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Miss Natalie Ward
- Phone
- 01913865187
- Address
- Canterbury Road, Newton Hall, Durham, DH1 5XT
- Local authority
- County Durham
- URN
- 130312
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.