Moorside Primary Academy

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 2 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Chester Road, Moorside, Consett, DH8 8EQOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Moorside Primary Academy is a primary school in Consett for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 271 schools in County Durham. It ranks 9th of 13 primary schools in Consett. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2016.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 9 March 2016, report published 18 April 2016

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 February 2025

This small school provides a warm, welcoming and safe environment for pupils and their families. All are treated with kindness and respect. The school goes the extra mile to make sure pupils' social, emotional and mental health needs are met well. Pupils' individual needs and circumstances are known, considered and addressed by staff. Pupils behave well in school. The school's calm learning environment and engaging curriculum ensure pupils' academic needs are met increasingly well. Pupils are proficient readers and mathematicians by the time they leave key stage 1. The school's formal curriculum is enhanced by a rich range of educational experiences beyond the classroom. These experiences include working with three local universities, publishing books on online safety and experiencing exciting residentials. Pupils' confidence and competence grow as they progress through the school. They are prepared thoroughly for the demands of secondary schooling. Pupils, from the two-year-olds in the early years to the oldest pupils in Year 6, take on roles of responsibility willingly. The youngest tidy up when asked. Eco-warriors make the school more energy efficient. Pupils in Year 6 lead outdoor dance sessions at breaktimes. They contribute to their school and wider community well.

What the school should improve

  • The curriculum in subjects other than English and mathematics is recently established and not embedded consistently. Pupils do not have a firm grasp on, and recall of, the knowledge and vocabulary they have been taught in these wider-curriculum subjects. The school should continue to embed the well-sequenced curriculums and provide meaningful opportunities for pupils to retrieve and use their curriculum knowledge and vocabulary.
  • At times the two-year-old children are overwhelmed when learning and playing alongside older children in the early years. When this happens, they do not use and develop their language and communication skills as well as they could. The school should ensure there are opportunities for the very youngest children to develop their language and communication skills across age-appropriate learning and play contexts.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

14 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths43%

43%, 19 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 score99

99, 7 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score99

99, 6 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score100

100, 5 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

123 pupils on roll, with places for 126

Eligible for free school meals48%

48%, 21.5 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language13%

13%, 8.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support15.4%

15.4%, 0.6 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan8.1%

8.1%, 2.1 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Moorside Primary Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Castleside Primary School0.4 milesOfsted: Good43% met the expected standard
St Pius Xth Catholic Primary School, Consett0.8 milesOfsted judgements: Good47% met the expected standard
The Grove Primary School0.9 milesOfsted: Good38% met the expected standard
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Blackhill1 mileOfsted: Good67% met the expected standard
Benfieldside Primary School2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
ADVANCE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Age range
2 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Wheatley
Address
Chester Road, Moorside, Consett, DH8 8EQ
Local authority
County Durham
URN
148969

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.