Staindrop CofE (Controlled) Primary School Review 2026: High-attaining village primary with strong reading and a clear Church of England ethos

High expectations sit alongside a calm, grounded culture here. Staindrop CofE (Controlled) Primary School combines strong Key Stage 2 outcomes with a practical, community-facing approach to school life, including leadership roles for pupils and a well-established wraparound offer. The school’s vision is explicitly rooted in the Parable of the Sower, with Christian values framed as the foundation for learning and relationships.

The most recent graded inspection (November 2023) judged the school Good overall, with Outstanding judgements for behaviour and attitudes, and for personal development. Safeguarding was confirmed as effective.

For families weighing up options in and around Staindrop, the headline is academic: the school ranks 336th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), and 1st locally within Darlington’s local area grouping, placing it well above England average (top 10%).

The culture is shaped by two overlapping influences. First, a small-school dynamic where children are expected to take responsibility early and contribute to daily routines. Second, a clear Church of England identity, expressed through worship opportunities and value language that pupils are expected to understand and apply. On the school’s own framing, Christian values and the Parable of the Sower underpin its ambition for children to develop deep roots and fulfil their potential.

External evidence supports the picture of a settled, respectful atmosphere. Strong relationships are described as a defining feature, and pupils’ sense of pride in their school is emphasised, with behaviour expectations set high and met consistently.

Because nursery provision is part of the offer (from age 3), the “feel” of the setting matters across a wider span than many village primaries. The school operates a governor-led pre-school, and the early years stage is evaluated within the same overall framework as the rest of the school, rather than functioning as a separate provider.

Practical early years routines, including session structure and pick-up arrangements, are set out clearly for families, which tends to reduce anxiety for first-time starters and supports consistent attendance patterns.

Leadership is stable and clearly identified. The head teacher is Mr Steve Whelerton (also listed as Steven Whelerton in formal records), supported by a deputy head who also holds the SENCO role.

A distinctive recent faith-facing marker is the school’s appointment as a Growing Faith Foundation Learning Hub (announced December 2025 by the Diocese of Durham). For families actively seeking a Church of England setting that takes religious education and worship seriously, this signals a level of diocesan engagement beyond the minimum required.

Performance at Key Stage 2 stands out on both attainment and higher-standard measures.

In the latest published outcomes used for this profile, 91% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 62%. Reading attainment is particularly strong, with 100% reaching the expected standard, and an average reading scaled score of 111 (with mathematics and grammar, punctuation and spelling also at 110).

Higher standard outcomes are also unusually high: 52.33% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%. These figures indicate that the school is not only getting most pupils over the expected threshold, it is also stretching a sizeable proportion into more demanding end points.

Rankings align with this story. The school is ranked 336th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), and 1st locally in its Darlington-area group. That combination places it well above England average (top 10%), and close to the very top tier nationally.

For parents comparing nearby options, this is a good moment to use FindMySchool’s Local Hub comparison tools, since strong village schools can vary significantly year to year depending on cohort size and prior attainment.

The inspection evidence points to a structured approach in core areas, especially reading. Pupils read frequently from books carefully matched to their current phonics knowledge, and staff focus on fluency and comprehension through discussion of vocabulary and themes.

For families, the implication is straightforward: children who need systematic support with early reading are likely to experience consistent practice and clear routines, while confident readers should still find challenge through text choice and conversation.

Mathematics is also positioned as a high-expectation subject. Combined with the scaled score outcomes, this suggests teaching that is effective at building secure foundations rather than relying on last-minute test preparation.

Beyond English and maths, curriculum breadth appears intentional. Inspectors carried out deep dives in reading, mathematics, history and computing, and also discussed French curriculum planning.

That matters because small primaries can sometimes struggle to maintain depth in foundation subjects. Here, the school’s stated improvement focus is also foundation-subject related: sharpening how assessment checks pupils’ readiness for more complex tasks so that work is consistently well matched across the wider curriculum.

Early years provision is part of the same overall quality picture, with the latest graded judgement indicating Good early years.

Operational detail for pre-school families is published in a practical Q&A format, including session timings and routines, which generally supports smooth settling, especially for three-year-olds.

As a village primary serving up to age 11, the main transition point is into local secondary provision. For many families in Staindrop and nearby villages, the default pathway is typically to the nearest mainstream secondary, with alternatives depending on transport, admissions criteria, and whether families pursue selective or faith-based routes elsewhere in County Durham and surrounding authorities.

What Staindrop does appear to do well is prepare pupils for responsibility and “voice” before they move on. Leadership opportunities are built into school life, including a formal School Council structure with representatives from each class in Years 1 to 6, chosen through elections.

This kind of experience tends to support transition, particularly for children who can find the jump to larger settings socially demanding.

For children currently in the pre-school, it is also important to note that there is no automatic transfer from nursery to Reception within County Durham. Parents still need to apply through the local authority admissions process.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Admission to Reception is coordinated through the local authority.

Recent demand indicators for the Reception entry route show a school that is modestly but meaningfully oversubscribed: 27 applications for 20 offers, which is about 1.35 applications per place. All offered places in that cycle were aligned with first-preference demand, which is a useful signal that this is not a “second-choice” default for families.

Published intake information for County Durham lists a Reception-scale published admission number for the school, alongside intake context for the area.

For September 2026 entry, the County Durham primary timetable sets out an application window opening in early September, with a 15 January 2026 closing date and offers issued on 16 April 2026.

If you are reading this later in the cycle, treat those dates as a pattern rather than a promise, and check the current local authority timetable.

A practical tip: if you are deciding between a small number of nearby primaries and distance is likely to be a deciding factor, use FindMySchoolMap Search to measure your home-to-gate distance precisely, then compare it with the most recent local admissions outcomes once they are published.

Pastoral practice is closely linked to behaviour expectations. The school’s most recent inspection grades, Outstanding for behaviour and attitudes and Outstanding for personal development, indicate that pupils benefit from consistent routines and a culture where respect and safety are treated as foundational, not optional extras.

Safeguarding arrangements were confirmed as effective at the latest inspection.

Operational safeguarding culture is supported by clear leadership roles, with the head teacher identified as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and deputy leadership also holding safeguarding responsibilities.

Support for pupils with additional needs appears systematic rather than ad hoc. The school identifies SEND accurately and uses that information to set targets and provide resources, with an explicit ambition for pupils with SEND to achieve well.

For parents, the practical implication is that support planning should feel structured, with clarity about targets and adjustments, rather than informal goodwill alone.

Faith and personal development overlap in a distinctive way here. Pupils take active roles in worship, including a pupil worship committee that helps plan and lead assemblies and discuss values.

For Church of England families who want worship to be participatory rather than purely adult-led, this is a meaningful feature.

This is not a school where extracurricular life is left to chance. Clubs and activities are set out in published schedules, with a blend of sport, creativity, homework support, and explicitly faith-shaped provision.

Examples from the school’s own club programme include:

• Messy Church Club, open across Reception, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

• Paw Print Club (from Year 2 upwards)

• Pick and Mix Club (across Reception to Key Stage 2)

• Creative Club, alongside a Key Stage 2 Homework Club

Sport is organised with both lunchtime and after-school options. The PE and sport offer references football across different age groups, netball, and fitness-based sessions such as yoga-style activities, plus competitive opportunities including swimming galas, cross country and tag rugby.

The implication for families is that participation can start early and build, rather than being limited to older pupils.

STEM enrichment also has a visible pupil-led element. Pupils act as ambassadors for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, running events that involve the whole school.

That detail matters because it suggests leadership opportunities are not restricted to pupil council roles, and academic identity is actively promoted beyond core lesson time.

Wraparound provision is also part of the wider offer, rather than a separate commercial add-on. Breakfast Club and After School Club operate daily during term time, with published timings.

Because charges apply, families should check the current schedule and pricing directly with the school, and treat any older club letters as historic snapshots rather than a definitive guide.

Wraparound care is clearly structured. Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 9.00am, with an after-school option from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, plus an extended session through to 5.30pm.

The main school day start and finish times are not presented as a single headline figure in the documents reviewed, so families should confirm current gate and classroom timings directly before planning transport.

For pre-school families, session timing guidance is published, including a morning finish at 12.15pm for a morning session, with collection arrangements described for the early years entrance route.

Lunch arrangements are also outlined for pre-school, with a stated cost for a school dinner in that context (noting that prices can change).

Term dates are made available through the school’s published holiday and closure information, which is helpful for planning childcare and work commitments.

Transport is typical for a rural village setting. Walking is realistic for families within the village core, while those in surrounding hamlets usually rely on a mix of driving, shared lifts, and local authority transport eligibility rules where applicable.

• Foundation subject assessment is a stated improvement priority. The school’s most recent inspection highlights that assessment does not always check learning in some foundation subjects closely enough, which can mean tasks occasionally feel too difficult for some pupils. Families may want to ask how curriculum checks are being strengthened beyond English and maths.

• Oversubscription exists, even at small scale. Recent admissions figures indicate more applicants than places for the Reception entry route. If you are moving into the area, confirm the latest local authority allocation outcomes and do not assume a place.

• The Church of England character is active, not nominal. Worship roles for pupils and diocesan recognition (Growing Faith Foundation Learning Hub) point to a school where faith is integrated into leadership and personal development. This will suit many families, but those wanting a more neutral approach should explore how worship and religious education operate day to day.

• Wraparound is available, but it is structured and booked. Breakfast and after-school provision operates with specific sessions and booking expectations. If you need flexible late pick-ups regularly, check how availability is managed at your required times.

Staindrop CofE (Controlled) Primary School combines a settled culture, strong personal development, and exceptionally strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, particularly in reading and higher-standard attainment. The Church of England ethos is clearly expressed and pupil leadership is woven into day-to-day life through elected roles and worship participation.

Best suited to families who want a values-led village primary with high academic expectations, and who are comfortable with an explicitly Christian framework. The main practical challenge is securing admission in an oversubscribed context, so early planning and careful attention to local authority deadlines matter.