Whalton Church of England Aided Primary School
Whalton, Morpeth, NE61 3XHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Whalton Church of England Aided Primary School is a primary school in Morpeth for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 171 schools in Northumberland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 29 November 2022, report published 8 February 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 29 November 2022
Pupils take pride in the small and caring school they attend. Whalton Church of England Aided Primary School has six core values, including hope and honesty, that are part of every school day. Pupils celebrate this and talk enthusiastically about their time at school. Leaders have developed a curriculum where everyone can achieve, especially in reading and mathematics. These core subjects are well planned. Leaders at all levels have high ambitions for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils are eager to talk with visitors. They move around school in an orderly manner and show respect for each other across the classes. Pupils say they are well cared for by the adults in school and by other pupils. Bullying is rare and not tolerated. Pupils say that staff take behaviour very seriously. Consequences are clear. Pupils feel safe at school. Across the school, pupils have a range of opportunities to develop leadership skills. These include being a class librarian or playground equipment monitor. Pupils know these roles are important to the school. Leaders and governors know the challenges they face as a small school. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school.
What the school should improve
- In some foundation subjects, such as history and design and technology, the sequencing of content in lessons is not clear. As a result, pupils cannot make links between some content and are not building their knowledge and skills effectively. Leaders should support teachers to ensure their lessons match the intent of the curriculum, so that pupils can link and build their knowledge.
- Teachers' use of assessment in some subjects is not checking what pupils can do and remember well enough. Leaders do not have a secure understanding of the impact of the curriculum in these subjects. Leaders must refine methods to assess pupils in some foundation subjects in order to ensure that the delivery of the curriculum is effective.
Pupil numbers and mix
23 pupils on roll, with places for 70
Schools near Whalton Church of England Aided Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belsay Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 71% met the expected standard |
| Abbeyfields First School | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Not published |
| Morpeth First School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Morpeth All Saints Church of England First School | 5 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Not published |
| Morpeth Newminster Middle School | 5 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 54% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Nichola Brannen
- Phone
- 01670775216
- Address
- Whalton, Morpeth, NE61 3XH
- Local authority
- Northumberland
- URN
- 122302
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.