Laurel Avenue Community Primary School
Laurel Avenue, The Woodlands, Durham, DH1 2EYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Laurel Avenue Community Primary School is a primary school in Durham for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 271 schools in County Durham. It ranks 33rd of 42 primary schools in Durham. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 27 February 2024, report published 28 April 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 27 February 2024
Laurel Avenue Community Primary School is highly inclusive. The staff care deeply about pupils and the wider community. The school acknowledges that many pupils and their families face wider challenges in everyday life. The school provides a wealth of pastoral support. Pupils know that they are cared for. They are proud of the many leadership opportunities the school offers them. These roles contribute to how well pupils care for each other and their local area. Staff have very high expectations for pupils. The school has a higher than average number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils with SEND, and those pupils who are disadvantaged, now achieve well in most subjects. Pupils enjoy their lessons. They discuss their learning enthusiastically. The school provides memorable learning experiences and educational visits which enhance the curriculum. The school prioritises pupils' broader development. This is done exceptionally well. Pupils strive to 'be the best they can be'. The careers and financial literacy education the school provides is high quality. The school has carefully chosen extra-curricular activities and events to raise pupils' aspirations. Pupils behave well. They are motivated by the reward systems in school and enjoy celebrating each other's achievements. The school's attendance incentives work well. Pupils enjoy the competitive nature of whole school 'class-opoly' to monitor and reward attendance.
What the school should improve
- Some older pupils do not receive enough focused teaching to develop their reading skills. This contributes to some pupils not achieving as well as they could. The school should continue to review the reading curriculum in order to further improve pupils' attainment and readiness for the next stage.
- Some of the assessment systems are not closely matched to the important knowledge that pupils need to know and remember. As a result, sometimes, the school does not recognise where pupils have gaps in their knowledge. The school should review how it checks what pupils know and can remember.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
10 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
114 pupils on roll, with places for 112
Schools near Laurel Avenue Community Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 100% met the expected standard |
| St Hild's College Church of England Primary School, Durham | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Durham Gilesgate Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 50% met the expected standard |
| St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 74% met the expected standard |
| Belmont CofE (Controlled) Primary School | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 73% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Ms Gaynor Davison
- Phone
- 01913868416
- Address
- Laurel Avenue, The Woodlands, Durham, DH1 2EY
- Local authority
- County Durham
- URN
- 114140
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.