Whitley Chapel Church of England First School
Leazes Lane, Whitley Chapel, Steel, Hexham, NE47 0HBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Whitley Chapel Church of England First School is a primary school in Hexham for ages 3 to 9. It is one of the 171 schools in Northumberland. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 19 November 2024, report published 16 January 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
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 19 November 2024
This is a welcoming village school. Pupils are proud to be part of this school community. They are kind and considerate to each other. Pupils of all ages learn and play together well. They live out the school's values of respect, resilience and responsibility in their behaviour and attitudes. Parents and carers recognise the positive work of the school. The school has high expectations for pupils. The curriculum ensures that pupils are well supported to meet these ambitions. Pupils take pride in their learning and are eager to share their success. Pupils do well here and feel safe. Clear and simple school rules help pupils to learn in calm classrooms. Older pupils are strong role models for other pupils, particularly during social times. At lunchtime, older pupils support younger pupils with their lunch with pride. They help younger pupils to tidy their plates away or serve them water. Opportunities such as speaking in assembly and being on the school council support pupils to be confident. Pupils benefit from after-school clubs such as drama, dance and board games. The school also has lunchtime clubs, such as mindfulness club, so more pupils are able to access this offer. School visits and overnight residential visits are warmly remembered by pupils.
What the school should improve
- In some areas of the wider curriculum, the needs of mixed-age classes are not consistently well met. Some pupils do not benefit from learning that is well matched to their needs. The school should continue to further develop the curriculum to ensure that pupils in mixed-age classes have opportunities to deepen and connect their learning as they move through the school.
- Governors' monitoring of school performance and the challenge they provide is developing. They are not clear on the impact of the school's quality of education and are not consistent in how they hold the school to account. Governors should ensure that they continue to develop their ability to offer support and challenge to fulfil their roles with more precision.
Pupil numbers and mix
28 pupils on roll, with places for 50
Schools near Whitley Chapel Church of England First School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slaley First School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| St Joseph's Catholic Middle School, Hexham | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 59% met the expected standard |
| Hexham First School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Hexham Middle School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 69% met the expected standard |
| St Mary's Catholic First School, Hexham | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 9
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Angela Hayward
- Phone
- 01434673294
- Address
- Leazes Lane, Whitley Chapel, Steel, Hexham, NE47 0HB
- Local authority
- Northumberland
- URN
- 122293
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.