Framwellgate Moor Primary School Review 2026: High-performing primary with a strong early years offer

“Forever Making Pupils Shine” is more than a slogan here, it is used as a practical shorthand for expectations, behaviour, and ambition across Nursery through Year 6. The data supports that confidence. In 2024, 89% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at Key Stage 2, well above the England average of 62%. At greater depth, the gap is even wider, 49% compared with the England average of 8%.

This is a larger-than-average primary, with capacity for 390 pupils across ages 2 to 11, and early years provision rated Outstanding alongside the rest of the school in the most recent inspection.

For families, the headline is straightforward: academic outcomes are consistently strong, but the main tension is demand. Reception entry is oversubscribed, with 116 applications for 38 offers in the latest admissions dataset, so planning matters.

The school’s identity is anchored in a clear values framework that appears repeatedly across its published materials. The list is explicit and memorable, including being positive, brave, aspirational and respectful.

Leadership continuity is a defining feature. Bethan Smith has been headteacher since September 2009, which is long enough to shape culture, staffing, and curriculum in a coherent way. The most recent Ofsted report also records Bethan Smith as headteacher at the time of inspection.

The physical setting is harder to summarise than many primaries, because it has evolved. Governance materials reference a significant rebuild between 2006 and 2009, which helps explain why facilities and space can feel more contemporary than some surrounding stock in the area.

For younger children, the tone is notably play-led and language-rich in the examples the school publishes. Nursery updates describe sensory and process-based activities such as “sensory spaghetti”, bubble wrap painting, and ramps and vehicles work, all framed as routes into vocabulary and communication rather than as isolated crafts.

Framwellgate Moor Primary School’s performance sits comfortably in the top tier nationally. Ranked 745th in England and 3rd in Durham for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), it outperforms around 90% of primaries in England (top 10%).

The core Key Stage 2 measures are strong across the board in 2024:

• Expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined: 89%, versus the England average of 62%

• Higher standard (greater depth) in reading, writing and mathematics: 49%, versus the England average of 8%

• Average scaled scores: reading 109, mathematics 109, grammar, punctuation and spelling 110

Subject-by-subject, expected standards are high: 93% in reading, 87% in mathematics, 93% in grammar, punctuation and spelling, and 90% in science.

For parents, the practical implication is that this is a school where most pupils are leaving Year 6 with strong foundations, and a large share are working at greater depth. That often correlates with a classroom culture where challenge is normalised and extension is routine, not exceptional.

Families comparing local options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page to review these results side-by-side with nearby schools using the Comparison Tool.

The curriculum narrative is consistent: the school positions learning as both academic and life-preparatory, with an explicit aim to inspire pupils and instil a love of learning that lasts. That statement aligns with the published focus on skills, knowledge, and foundations that build over time, rather than a narrow emphasis on end-of-year tests.

In early years, provision is structured and clearly named. Nursery is split into two rooms, Butterflies and Caterpillars, with free fruit and milk stated as part of the offer, and a review process each term to increase capacity for funded early education places. The staffing profile also indicates specific early years expertise, with the Nursery Teacher described as working across the two nursery rooms.

Across the primary years, the school’s approach to participation is reinforced through pupil leadership structures. “Shiny Groups” are used as a vehicle for civic participation and responsibility, with named groups including Eco Warriors, Wellbeing Warriors, Digital Leaders, Playground Leaders and Sports Crew. The educational point is clear: leadership is not reserved for older pupils only, it is treated as a normal part of school life.

For a state primary, the transition question matters almost as much as the Key Stage 2 results. Framwellgate Moor Primary School serves families in and around Framwellgate Moor, with many pupils moving on to local secondary options in the wider Durham area at Year 7. The precise “destination secondary” picture varies by address, sibling links, and local authority admissions patterns, so families should review the current County Durham secondary admissions guidance alongside their home-to-school distance.

High Key Stage 2 outcomes can broaden choices, including for families considering selective or faith-based routes elsewhere. The important point is that secondary transfer is not automatic. Parents should treat Year 5 as the planning year, especially if exploring options beyond the nearest school.

Demand is the main story. On the latest available Reception admissions dataset, 116 applications competed for 38 offers, which equates to roughly 3.05 applications per place offered. The school is therefore oversubscribed, and the margin for error in planning can be small.

In County Durham, Reception applications are coordinated through the local authority. For September 2026 entry, the published closing date to apply was Thursday 15 January 2026, with offers released on Thursday 16 April 2026.

The school also publishes its planned admission limit, stating an admissions limit of 45 per class from Reception to Year 6, with Reception taught in two classes of 22 or 23 following an increase implemented in September 2018.

For Nursery entry, the pattern is typically more flexible than Reception and is commonly handled directly with the school rather than through the local authority coordinated process. The school indicates funded early education places within Nursery, and placements are reviewed termly to expand funded capacity where possible.

Parents considering a move should use the FindMySchool Map Search to measure their home-to-school distance accurately. Even where distances are not published for this particular school accurate measurement is still vital for planning and for comparing realistic options.

A school with strong outcomes still has to get the basics right daily: safeguarding, attendance, and inclusion. The special educational needs leadership is clearly identified, with the SENCo named as Ruth Wilkinson and described as holding the National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators, as well as the National Professional Qualification for Headship. That combination often indicates a SEN function that is both specialist and strategically integrated, rather than operating at the margins.

Attendance expectations are set out plainly, including a start time of 8:45am and a clear approach to punctuality and late marks. This matters in a high-performing school because learning pace can be cumulative. Frequent lateness is not just a behaviour issue, it becomes a curriculum access issue.

Safeguarding is not a marketing line here, it is presented as a core operating standard supported by external scrutiny. The latest Ofsted report judged the school Outstanding overall at its inspection on 8 May 2024, with Outstanding judgements across all key areas including early years provision.

The extracurricular offer is unusually specific for a primary, which makes it easier for families to understand what day-to-day enrichment can look like. The school’s published after-school programme includes named clubs such as Archery, Forest School, Street Dance, German Club, Chess, Badminton, Choir, and Little Ballers.

This range has two useful implications. First, children with different confidence profiles can find a “way in”. A child who does not see themselves as sporty can still anchor their week around Choir or Chess, while those needing movement and physical challenge have multiple options. Second, the inclusion of Forest School as a club suggests outdoor learning is treated as more than occasional “treat days”; it is structured enough to sit alongside conventional clubs.

Pupil leadership also functions as enrichment. Eco Warriors are referenced in enrichment materials, including running a road safety competition to reinforce safe driving and parking behaviours around the site. This is a practical model of citizenship: children are given responsibility for improving the environment around them, not just learning about it in the abstract.

The published school day is clear and slightly different by key stage. Reception and Key Stage 1 run 8:45am to 3:15pm, while Key Stage 2 runs 8:45am to 3:20pm.

Wraparound care is available. The school hosts Munch Bunch Breakfast Club from 7:30am to 8:45am, and also hosts Dragonflies after-school provision, with further details provided via school materials.

For travel, many families will be using short local journeys, often on foot, by car for drop-off, or via local bus services into the Framwellgate Moor area. Parking safety around schools is a live issue locally, and Durham County Council publishes guidance emphasising safe parking behaviours near school gates and markings.

• Competition for places. With 116 applications for 38 offers in the latest admissions dataset, the limiting factor is admission rather than the educational experience that follows. Families should plan early and keep realistic backups.

• A high-attainment culture. Results show a very high proportion working at expected standard and at greater depth. That can be motivating for many children, but families should consider how their child responds to pace and challenge.

• Wraparound details to confirm. Breakfast provision timings are published, and after-school provision is hosted through Dragonflies, but the exact session structure and availability can change year to year. Families should verify current arrangements directly before relying on a particular pattern.

• Early years transition planning. Nursery is a real part of the school, with two nursery rooms and funded early education places referenced. Families should clarify how nursery places relate to Reception admissions, as these are often separate processes in state schools.

Framwellgate Moor Primary School combines high academic performance with a clearly defined early years offer and a structured approach to pupil leadership. Its strongest fit is for families who want an ambitious, orderly primary experience from age two onwards, and who value a culture where greater depth outcomes are normal rather than rare. Entry remains the primary hurdle, so families serious about the school should keep admissions planning at the centre of their decision-making.