Marlborough Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 2 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding

Marlborough Road, Sulgrave Village, Washington, NE37 3BGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Marlborough Primary School is a primary school in Washington for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 122 schools in Sunderland. It ranks 15th of 17 primary schools in Washington. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in March 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 25 March 2025, report published 20 May 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

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

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 March 2025

Marlborough Primary School has a strong sense of community. It welcomes visitors warmly. Those new to the school, including pupils who arrive from overseas, quickly become part of this nurturing school family. The school ensures that new pupils are supported and feel included from their first visit. The high-quality pastoral care for pupils is a key feature of the school's work. Pupils are happy, they feel safe and know that adults care about them. Leaders have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils behave well in lessons and on the playground. They are polite and friendly. Good manners are the norm. Older pupils are excellent role models for younger pupils. The school has high expectations for pupils' achievement. Pupils live up to these. They enjoy their work and the wealth of opportunities that the school provides. Pupils in Year 6 leave school well prepared for the next stage of their education. Pupils take on roles of responsibility willingly. Older pupils enjoy their role as educational visit leads, supporting younger children out of school. Pupils greatly contribute to their school. Pupils appreciate the extensive range of clubs and experiences that are available. Opportunities such as collecting food for the local foodbank, helps pupils to value their community.

What the school should improve

  • Curriculum thinking in some foundation subjects is not precise enough. Sometimes, staff do not have sufficient detail to implement the curriculum well. Consequently, some pupils do not develop secure subject knowledge. The school should review how and what pupils will study to ensure that precise subject knowledge is accurately identified and delivered.
  • Some pupils at the early stages of learning to read are not supported well enough to grasp the basics in reading. Consequently, these pupils are not becoming confident, fluent readers quickly enough. The school must ensure that all pupils get the support they need to learn to read successfully, including matching reading books to the sounds that pupils know.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

15 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths20%

20%, 42 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths7%

7%, 1 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score97

97, 9 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score99

99, 6 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score97

97, 8 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

150 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals56%

56%, 29.5 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language22%

22%, 0.4 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support22.7%

22.7%, 7.9 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.3%

5.3%, 0.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Marlborough Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Usworth Colliery Primary School0.3 milesOfsted: Good69% met the expected standard
St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Washington0.6 milesOfsted: Good80% met the expected standard
Barmston Village Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Washington1 mileOfsted: Good72% met the expected standard
George Washington Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good62% 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
Mrs Wendy Buddle
Address
Marlborough Road, Sulgrave Village, Washington, NE37 3BG
Local authority
Sunderland
URN
108822

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.