Kells Lane Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Kells Lane, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 5HXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Kells Lane Primary School is a primary school in Gateshead for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 92 schools in Gateshead. It ranks 11th of 35 primary schools in Gateshead. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 28 June 2022, report published 21 September 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 June 2022

Pupils are happy and safe at Kells Lane Primary School. The headteacher and acting deputy headteacher have been appointed to their posts recently. They have high expectations for pupils to achieve academically and socially. There are caring relationships throughout the school. Reading, including phonics, is taught extremely well. Leaders share clear planning and expectations with staff. Pupils are enthusiastic about reading. They recall many stories they have read or listened to. Pupils apply to run their own clubs in school. Many pupils are successful. They take on their roles of responsibility enthusiastically. Pupils offer clubs such as origami and climate change. Leaders also ensure that adults provide a range of clubs for pupils including sports, music and languages clubs. Leaders encourage the most vulnerable pupils to attend, including those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those eligible for pupil premium funding. Many pupils benefit from the rich extra-curricular activities on offer. The vast majority of pupils are extremely well behaved in lessons and throughout the school day. On the rare occasion that inappropriate incidents occur, they are dealt with swiftly. Pupils are courteous and polite. The new 'Always Attitude' award motivates pupils to do the right thing. The winners celebrate by enjoying juice and a snack with the headteacher.

What the school should improve

  • In some foundation subjects, end-of-unit assessments are not matched precisely enough to the curriculum. Teachers do not identify gaps in pupils' knowledge consistently. Leaders need to refine their approach to assessment so that pupils' learning in all curriculum areas is checked accurately.
  • Some subject leaders do not have a clear understanding of how their subject is planned and taught in the early years. As a result, they do not have an accurate overview of learning in their subject and do not know how pupils are prepared for Year 1. Leaders need to ensure that subject leaders have a thorough working knowledge of their subject and that planning from early years to Year 6 is well sequenced.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

58 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths62%

62%, the same as the England average.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths14%

14%, 6 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

453 pupils on roll, with places for 472

Eligible for free school meals2.6%

2.6%, 23.9 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language4%

4%, 17.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support7.3%

7.3%, 7.5 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.2%

2.2%, 3.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Kells Lane Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Glynwood Community Primary School0.3 milesOfsted judgements: Good56% met the expected standard
St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Low Fell0.4 milesOfsted: Good80% met the expected standard
Oakfield Junior School0.6 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Oakfield Infant School0.6 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Carr Hill Community Primary School0.8 milesOfsted: Good69% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Rachel Swinbank
Address
Kells Lane, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 5HX
Local authority
Gateshead
URN
131106

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.