The Drive Community Primary School

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

The Drive, Felling, Gateshead, NE10 0PYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Drive Community Primary School is a primary school in Gateshead for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 92 schools in Gateshead. It ranks 26th of 35 primary schools in Gateshead. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 8 November 2022, report published 22 December 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 8 November 2022

Leaders and teachers help pupils to aspire to great things. Some pupils want to become a scientist, a computer technician or engineer. Pupils' happiness in school is clear. Teachers work with pupils to make sure that they are in control of their feelings. There is a common language of 'red cap and blue cap' thinking. Pupils recognise how to stay calm rather than losing control. They learn how to stay safe in and out of school, including online. Behaviour is good because relationships are strong. Pupils enjoy each other's company. They share equipment at breaktime and play sensibly. Bullying is exceptionally rare. Pupils show good manners by holding open doors or saying 'please', 'thank you' or 'you're welcome'. Pupils are proud of their school and the local area. Pupils speak knowledgeably about local history, such as the Felling pit disaster, and significant local people. Leaders have made sure the school has close links to the local community. Some older pupils act as 'Drive Ministers' and lead the school council to raise money for good causes, such as homelessness charities. Leaders have prioritised pupils' well- being after the impact of the pandemic. This is a focus on 'well-being Wednesday'. Pupils know the importance of recycling for the environment. They collect litter and recycle food waste.

What the school should improve

  • In a few subjects, leaders have not planned out the essential knowledge pupils need to acquire and remember at the end of each unit of work. Pupils find it difficult to make connections in their learning in these subjects. Leaders need to clarify the essential knowledge pupils need so that they develop detailed knowledge and skills across the curriculum.
  • Teachers are unable to systematically assess and check what pupils have learned and remembered over time because the required knowledge in some subjects has not been defined. Leaders need to specify this knowledge and how it is assessed so that teachers can give more support to pupils where it is needed.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

29 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths55%

55%, 7 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 score103

103, 3 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score104

104, 1 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

213 pupils on roll, with places for 219

Eligible for free school meals44.6%

44.6%, 18.1 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language16%

16%, 5.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support15%

15%, 0.2 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.3%

2.3%, 3.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Drive Community Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Brandling Primary School0.5 milesOfsted: Good70% met the expected standard
Falla Park Community Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good67% met the expected standard
Windy Nook Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good67% met the expected standard
St Alban's Catholic Primary School, Pelaw0.6 milesOfsted: Good41% met the expected standard
Wardley Primary School0.7 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard70% 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 R Farren
Address
The Drive, Felling, Gateshead, NE10 0PY
Local authority
Gateshead
URN
108361

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.