South Hetton Primary

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Frederick Terrace, South Hetton, Durham, DH6 2TJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

South Hetton Primary is a primary school in Durham for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 271 schools in County Durham. It ranks 20th of 42 primary schools in Durham. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 27 September 2023, report published 15 November 2023

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 27 September 2023

Pupils at South Hetton benefit from a curriculum that helps them to respect themselves and others and to learn about the wider world. From the very beginning, pupils learn that good behaviour is important. They understand the school behaviour system. Pupils know that it is 'good to be green'. Red cards for repeated poor behaviour are rare. Bullying is not a problem in this school. Pupils are confident that adults will sort it out if it does happen. The school's values of perseverance, ambition, independence, nurture and teamwork influence everything that happens in school. Pupils learn that it is important to try hard even when something is difficult. They know how important reading is for their future. They understand how to be a good citizen. Leaders have designed the school's curriculum to give every pupil the opportunity to 'branch out' and learn about the wider world. Recent changes to the curriculum are helping pupils to achieve more. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are fully included in the life of the school. Parents and carers are positive about the school. They particularly value the support they receive and the 'family feeling' created by school leaders. Many parents comment on how happy and safe their children feel.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, such as science, the school has not identified the most important knowledge pupils need to learn. This means that some teachers cannot efficiently check that pupils are ready to take the next step in learning. Leaders should ensure that they clearly identify what they intend pupils to learn in all subjects. They should support teachers to check what has been learned and to use this information to plan pupils' next steps in learning.
  • Some pupils who are at the early stages of learning to read, do not read from books that match their phonics knowledge. This means that some do not develop reading fluency and confidence. Leaders should make sure that these pupils read books that allow them to practise the sounds that they know.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

23 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths57%

57%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths17%

17%, 9 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score108

108, 3 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

202 pupils on roll, with places for 231

Eligible for free school meals36.6%

36.6%, 10.1 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2%

2%, 19.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support21.8%

21.8%, 7 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3%

3%, 3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near South Hetton Primary

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Easington Lane Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good63% met the expected standard
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Murton1 mileOfsted: Good71% met the expected standard
Ribbon School2 milesOfsted: Good64% met the expected standard
Hetton Lyons Primary School2 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard60% met the expected standard
Hetton Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good54% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
TUDHOE LEARNING TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Nicola Mayo
Address
Frederick Terrace, South Hetton, Durham, DH6 2TJ
Local authority
County Durham
URN
141999

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.