West Cornforth Primary School
High Street, West Cornforth, Ferryhill, DL17 9HPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
West Cornforth Primary School is a primary school in Ferryhill for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 271 schools in County Durham. It ranks 22nd of 184 primary schools in County Durham. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in September 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 16 September 2025, report published 19 October 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- 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 16 September 2025
Pupils love coming to this school. They are safe, happy, and cared for. Staff know the pupils and their families well. There are many trusted adults that pupils can talk to. Relationships are warm and respectful. This helps to create a strong sense of belonging. Parents and carers speak highly of the support the school offers. They enjoy events such as 'grab a grown up' and appreciate the chance to join in and celebrate learning together with their children. Pupils conduct themselves well in and out of the classroom. Bullying occurs very rarely. Pupils know that if they have concerns, staff will respond promptly. Pupils, parents, and staff say that behaviour is good. The school sets high expectations for pupils' achievement. It encourages pupils to aim high and work hard. Pupils rise to this challenge. They enjoy their lessons, take pride in their work, and typically achieve well. Staff help pupils to believe in themselves and celebrate their successes. The wider curriculum provides a vast range of exciting enrichment opportunities. Pupils enthusiastically attend clubs such as cookery, art, and sports. They enjoy trips to museums and local landmarks that bring learning to life. Pupils understand how they can make a difference. They are proud to play an active role in their school through a range of leadership roles and are keen to get involved in wider community initiatives.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, the use of assessment is not informative. The assessment checks do not routinely provide helpful information about how well pupils have learned the curriculum, nor do they clearly support teachers to identify the most appropriate next steps. The school should make sure that assessments check how well pupils have learned and remembered the curriculum content and support teachers to identify the most appropriate next steps.
- Despite recent improved attendance for some pupils, the school's strategies are not having the intended impact for others. As a result, too many pupils still miss out on important learning. The school must refocus its approaches to attendance to reduce absences for these pupils.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
24 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
251 pupils on roll, with places for 186
Schools near West Cornforth Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coxhoe Primary School | 0.6 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 84% met the expected standard |
| Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 84% met the expected standard |
| Broom Cottages Primary & Nursery School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 32% met the expected standard |
| Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 52% met the expected standard |
| Ferryhill Station Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 20% 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 Kathryn Costello
- Phone
- 01740654315
- Address
- High Street, West Cornforth, Ferryhill, DL17 9HP
- Local authority
- County Durham
- URN
- 114079
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.