Bullion Lane Primary School
About Bullion Lane Primary School
Bullion Lane Primary School is clearly a popular choice among local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 43 applications for just 28 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.54, meaning more than one and a half families applied for every available spot. All 28 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which suggests that for those who put it top of their list, the school is a realistic option. While the school does not publish a parent-view recommendation percentage, the high demand speaks for itself. Headteacher Sarah Barningham leads a mixed, state primary for children aged 2 to 11, with a nursery provision on site. The school has capacity for 315 pupils and currently has 299 on roll, so there is a little breathing room. With 66.4 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, Bullion Lane serves a community with significant economic need, yet it still manages to attract strong local interest.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
19 Mar 2024Source: Ofsted, 1 May 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
8Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:35 – 15:05
Source: bullionlane.durham.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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