How do you decide which schools are best?

We combine official data sources and our methodology to highlight consistent performance. Use filters to personalise results based on what matters to your family.

Are all Durham neighbourhoods included?

Yes. We group schools by their locality field so you can quickly scan areas and their nearby schools. All sections are expanded by default on this page.

Why do results differ from Ofsted-only lists?

We consider a broader set of indicators and present more flexible filtering, including faith options, mixed/grammar status, and age ranges.

Best Primary Schools in Durham 2026 | Rankings, Ofsted & Catchments

Neighbourhoods in Durham

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#30	Bearpark Primary School	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Bearpark Primary School

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#30

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#5	Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good
#19	St Thomas More Primary School, Belmont	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	7/10Good
#24	Belmont CofE (Controlled) Primary School	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	Church of England	7/10Good

Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School

State • Primary • 3-11 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

St Thomas More Primary School, Belmont

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#19

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Belmont CofE (Controlled) Primary School

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#24

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Church of England

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#36	Bowburn Primary School	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Bowburn Primary School

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#36

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#25	Brandon Primary Academy	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good
N/A	The Independent Grammar School:Durham	Independent	All-through	4-16 years	Mixed	None	Information not available

Brandon Primary Academy

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#25

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

The Independent Grammar School:Durham

Independent • All-through • 4-16 years

N/A

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: Information not available

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#9	Browney Primary Academy	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	None	7.5/10Excellent

Browney Primary Academy

State • Primary • 4-11 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7.5/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#39	Burnhope Primary School	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Burnhope Primary School

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#39

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#29	Cassop Primary School	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Cassop Primary School

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#29

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#6	Coxhoe Primary School	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Coxhoe Primary School

State • Primary • 4-11 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#2	St Margaret's Church of England Primary School, Durham	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	Church of England	8/10Excellent

St Margaret's Church of England Primary School, Durham

State • Primary • 4-11 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Church of England

FMS Inspection Score: 8/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
N/A	Durham High School for Girls	Independent	All-through	3-18 years	Girls	Church of England	-

Durham High School for Girls

Independent • All-through • 3-18 years

N/A

Gender: Girls

Religious: Church of England

FMS Inspection Score: -

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#4	St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	Church of England	7/10Good

St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School

State • Primary • 3-11 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Church of England

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#44	Edmondsley Primary Academy	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	6.6/10Good

Edmondsley Primary Academy

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#44

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 6.6/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#13	Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	Church of England	7.5/10Excellent

Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#13

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Church of England

FMS Inspection Score: 7.5/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#32	St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Esh Village	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	7/10Good

St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Esh Village

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#32

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#37	Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Primary School, Esh Winning	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	5.3/10Developing
#42	Esh Winning Academy	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Primary School, Esh Winning

State • Primary • 4-11 years

#37

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 5.3/10Dev

Esh Winning Academy

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#42

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#3	Framwellgate Moor Primary School	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	10/10Elite
#8	St Godric's Catholic Primary School, Durham	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	8.1/10Excellent

Framwellgate Moor Primary School

State • Primary • 2-11 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 10/10Elite

St Godric's Catholic Primary School, Durham

State • Primary • 3-11 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 8.1/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#7	Durham Gilesgate Primary School	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good
#35	St Hild's College Church of England Aided Primary School, Durham	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	Church of England	7/10Good
#47	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	7.6/10Excellent

Durham Gilesgate Primary School

State • Primary • 2-11 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

St Hild's College Church of England Aided Primary School, Durham

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#35

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Church of England

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#47

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 7.6/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#1	Shincliffe CofE (Controlled) Primary School	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	Church of England	7.5/10Excellent

Shincliffe CofE (Controlled) Primary School

State • Primary • 4-11 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Church of England

FMS Inspection Score: 7.5/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#33	Kelloe Primary School	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Kelloe Primary School

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#33

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#20	Lanchester Endowed Parochial Primary School	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	Church of England	7.6/10Excellent
#23	All Saints' Catholic Primary School, Lanchester	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	7/10Good

Lanchester Endowed Parochial Primary School

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#20

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Church of England

FMS Inspection Score: 7.6/10Excellent

All Saints' Catholic Primary School, Lanchester

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#23

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#14	Langley Moor Primary School	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	None	7.6/10Excellent
#18	St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Langley Moor	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	8.9/10Excellent

Langley Moor Primary School

State • Primary • 4-11 years

#14

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7.6/10Excellent

St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Langley Moor

State • Primary • 4-11 years

#18

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 8.9/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#46	Langley Park Primary School, Durham	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	5.5/10Developing

Langley Park Primary School, Durham

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#46

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 5.5/10Dev

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#28	Ludworth Primary School, Durham	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Ludworth Primary School, Durham

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#28

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#12	Neville's Cross Primary School and Nursery	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	None	8.1/10Excellent

Neville's Cross Primary School and Nursery

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#12

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 8.1/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#34	New Brancepeth Primary Academy	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7.6/10Excellent

New Brancepeth Primary Academy

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#34

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7.6/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#16	Finchale Primary School	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good
#22	Blue Coat CofE (Aided) Junior School	State	Primary	7-11 years	Mixed	Church of England	7/10Good
N/A	Durham Newton Hall Infants' School	State	Primary	4-7 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Finchale Primary School

State • Primary • 4-11 years

#16

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Blue Coat CofE (Aided) Junior School

State • Primary • 7-11 years

#22

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Church of England

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Durham Newton Hall Infants' School

State • Primary • 4-7 years

N/A

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#11	Pittington Primary School	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Pittington Primary School

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#11

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
N/A	Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation	Independent	All-through	3-18 years	Mixed	None	10/10Elite

Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation

Independent • All-through • 3-18 years

N/A

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 10/10Elite

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#31	Sacriston Academy	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	None	8.5/10Excellent
#48	St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Sacriston	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	7/10Good

Sacriston Academy

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#31

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 8.5/10Excellent

St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Sacriston

State • Primary • 4-11 years

#48

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#17	Sherburn Primary School	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Sherburn Primary School

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#17

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#15	Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Shotton	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	7.5/10Excellent
#40	Shotton Primary School	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Shotton

State • Primary • 4-11 years

#15

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 7.5/10Excellent

Shotton Primary School

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#40

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#41	South Hetton Primary	State	Primary	3-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

South Hetton Primary

State • Primary • 3-11 years

#41

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#10	Laurel Avenue Community Primary School	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7.6/10Excellent

Laurel Avenue Community Primary School

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#10

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7.6/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#38	Thornley Academy	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Thornley Academy

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#38

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#27	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Ushaw Moor	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	4.6/10Developing
#43	Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Ushaw Moor

State • Primary • 4-11 years

#27

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 4.6/10Dev

Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#43

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#21	St Godrics Catholic Primary School, Thornley	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	Catholic	7/10Good
#26	Wheatley Hill Community Primary School	State	Primary	2-11 years	Mixed	None	7.5/10Excellent

St Godrics Catholic Primary School, Thornley

State • Primary • 4-11 years

#21

Gender: Mixed

Religious: Catholic

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

Wheatley Hill Community Primary School

State • Primary • 2-11 years

#26

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7.5/10Excellent

Rank	School Name	School Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	FMS Inspection Score
#45	Witton Gilbert Primary School	State	Primary	4-11 years	Mixed	None	7/10Good

Witton Gilbert Primary School

State • Primary • 4-11 years

#45

Gender: Mixed

Religious: None

FMS Inspection Score: 7/10Good

2026 Best Primary Schools in Durham Area

School Type

FMS Inspection Score

Religious Character

Gender

School Features

Age Range

Shincliffe CofE (Controlled) Primary School

St Margaret's Church of England Primary School, Durham

Framwellgate Moor Primary School

St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School

Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School

Coxhoe Primary School

Durham Gilesgate Primary School

St Godric's Catholic Primary School, Durham

Browney Primary Academy

Map of Primary Schools in Durham

Neighbourhoods in Durham

FAQs

School Type

FMS Inspection Score

Religious Character

Gender

School Features

Age Range

Shincliffe CofE (Controlled) Primary School

St Margaret's Church of England Primary School, Durham

Framwellgate Moor Primary School

St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School

Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School

Coxhoe Primary School

Durham Gilesgate Primary School

St Godric's Catholic Primary School, Durham

Browney Primary Academy

Map of Primary Schools in Durham

Neighbourhoods in Durham

Bearpark(1)

Belmont(3)

Bowburn(1)

Brandon(2)

Browney(1)

Burnhope(1)

Cassop(1)

Coxhoe(1)

Crossgate(1)

Crossgate Moor(1)

Durham City Centre(1)

Edmondsley(1)

Esh(1)

Esh Village(1)

Esh Winning(2)

Framwellgate Moor(2)

Gilesgate(3)

High Shincliffe(1)

Kelloe(1)

Lanchester(2)

Langley Moor(2)

Langley Park(1)

Ludworth(1)

Neville's Cross(1)

New Brancepeth(1)

Newton Hall(3)

Pittington(1)

Quarryheads(1)

Sacriston(2)

Sherburn(1)

Shotton(2)

South Hetton(1)

The Woodlands(1)

Thornley(1)

Ushaw Moor(2)

Wheatley Hill(2)

Witton Gilbert(1)

FAQs

How do you decide which schools are best?

Are all Durham neighbourhoods included?

Why do results differ from Ofsted-only lists?

Explore More Schools in Durham

Secondary Schools

Sixth Form Schools