Classpot

Newker Primary School

County Durham, DH2 3AAPrimaryAges 3–11MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
May 2025
KS2 Results
70%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
30 1st-choice / 31 places
Ranking
#4,154
of 13,686 nationally

About Newker Primary School

Newker Primary School in County Durham is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 3 to 11, and it currently educates 378 children against a total capacity of 520, meaning there is room for further growth. The school serves a community with a notable level of disadvantage: 29.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is well above the national average for primary schools. Despite this, demand for places is strong. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 74 applications for just 31 places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.39 applicants per place. All 30 first-preference applicants were offered a spot, suggesting that for families who put Newker first, it is a realistic option. The school has a nursery provision, which may help families secure a place early. Its religious character is listed as 'Does not apply', and the headteacher is Melanie Kirkland.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range3 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressWaldridge Road, Chester le Street, County Durham, DH2 3AA
HeadteacherMelanie Kirkland
Local AuthorityCounty Durham
Number of Pupils378
Free School Meals (FSM)29.5%
School Capacity378 / 520 (73% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

What 63 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

7 May 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 15 Jun 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
Art StudiosDining HallMusic RoomsSensory RoomICT SuiteSports HallOutdoor PlaygroundChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

10

Sports

GymnasticsTennisFootballNetball

Clubs & Activities

ChessFilm ClubChoirCodingGardeningArt Club

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguagePhysical

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Newker Primary School

Newker Primary School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.