Birtley East Community Primary School
64%
Capacity
196
Pupils
1.9x
Demand
About Birtley East Community Primary School
Birtley East Community Primary School was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection, a notable improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating. The school's most informative exam metric is the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which stood at 57% in the 2023/24 academic year. This places the school below the Gateshead local authority average of 64% and ranks it 44th out of 61 primary schools in the area, putting it in the bottom half of the LA. However, individual subject results tell a more nuanced story: 82% of pupils met the expected standard in maths, and average scores in both reading (104) and maths (105) were solid. The school also saw 25% of pupils reach the higher standard in maths, compared with 14% in reading and just 7% in writing.
Ofsted inspectors noted that leadership and management, as well as early years provision, were both Good. The school's parent view survey, based on 19 responses collected between September 2024 and September 2025, shows strong satisfaction: 79% would recommend the school, and 74% strongly agreed that their child does well there. A striking 68% strongly agreed that their child feels safe, and 68% also strongly agreed that their child can take part in clubs and activities. However, the survey also reveals some concerns: 26% disagreed that bullying is dealt with quickly and effectively, and 21% said they would not recommend the school. The school's SEND provisions cover a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health support.
Birtley East is a state primary school for mixed genders aged 3 to 11, with a nursery on site. It currently has 196 pupils against a capacity of 308, and 39.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. The school was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, receiving 50 applications for 27 places, with all first-preference applicants offered a spot. Facilities include a Forest School, library, playing fields, gymnasium, art studios and an ICT suite. Sports on offer include gymnastics, athletics, swimming and dance, while clubs range from science and coding to gardening and book club. For families considering alternatives, the nearest Outstanding-rated primary is St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, just 1.4 km away. This school would suit parents who value a supportive, inclusive environment with strong early years provision and a wide range of extracurricular activities, though those prioritising top-tier academic results may want to explore higher-ranked local options.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Highfield, Birtley, Gateshead, DH3 1QQ |
| Headteacher | Anna Miles |
| Local Authority | Gateshead |
| Number of Pupils | 196 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 39.2% |
| School Capacity | 196 / 308 (64% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
9 Oct 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (9 Oct 2024): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 24 Jul 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (57%)
8781st of 13,686
Nationally
457th of 677
In North East
44th of 61
In Gateshead
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
57%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
67%
'23/24
57%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
19 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed27
50
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
27 families put this school as their 1st choice (54% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British78.6%
- Mixed5.1%
- White (other)4.6%
- Asian2.5%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than half of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
5
Total schools
4
Oversubscribed
4
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Birtley East Community Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Highfield, Birtley
Gateshead, DH3 1QQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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