Victoria Lane Academy
Victoria Lane, Coundon, Bishop Auckland, DL14 8NNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Victoria Lane Academy is a primary school in Bishop Auckland for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 271 schools in County Durham. It ranks 17th of 22 primary schools in Bishop Auckland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 7 February 2024, report published 17 March 2024
- 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 7 February 2024
At Victoria Lane Academy, staff know pupils extremely well. There is a strong sense of community. Pupils are nurtured and very well cared for. As one pupil told inspectors, 'It's like being part of a family.' Pupils enjoy warm and happy relationships with their teachers. They work hard in lessons. Parents praise the school for the high levels of care and support their children receive. The curriculum is broad, well planned and clearly sequenced. The school has thought carefully about what pupils need to know. Pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are given the support they need in lessons. Pupils achieve well. The school is calm and orderly. School routines are well embedded and followed by all pupils. Pupils are motivated by the house points they receive in recognition of their achievements. Bullying sometimes happens. Teachers resolve these issues quickly and efficiently. There are opportunities for pupils to develop their leadership skills. For example, pupils become sports ambassadors, members of the school council and/or house captains. Pupils also benefit from attending the range of extra-curricular clubs, including performing arts, cookery and a range of sports.
What the school should improve
- The school does not analyse and address pupils' irregular attendance incisively enough. As a result, pupils' rates of absence and persistent absence are too high. These pupils miss too much learning. The school must ensure that there are systems in place to quickly identify and address the barriers to pupils' non- attendance.
- The school offers limited opportunities for pupils' cultural development. As a result, this is limiting pupils' understanding and experience of the wider world. The school must extend the curriculum to enrich pupils' cultural development to support them to become knowledgeable, understanding and responsible citizens.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
26 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
155 pupils on roll, with places for 240
Schools near Victoria Lane Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Coundon | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 70% met the expected standard |
| Prince Bishops Community Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Kirk Merrington Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 83% met the expected standard |
| St Andrew's Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 46% met the expected standard |
| Cockton Hill Junior School | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 54% 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
- Miss Heather Whitfield
- Phone
- 01388603588
- Address
- Victoria Lane, Coundon, Bishop Auckland, DL14 8NN
- Local authority
- County Durham
- URN
- 138555
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.