SchoolScoresSt Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
St Benet's Way, Ouston, Chester le Street, DH2 1QX
0191 410 5857 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 17 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
53 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Chester le Street comparisons use the 13 of its 18 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 5 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Chester le Street | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 7th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 54% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 96% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 11th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 39% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 97% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 10th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 41% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 92% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 21 parents whose child had been bullied 7th highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 42% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 52% | 62% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 46 parents who had raised a concern 11th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 26% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 84% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 11 parents of children with SEND 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 18% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 64% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 11th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 25% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83%said yes | 93% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 25%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Chester le Street figures pool parents at the Chester le Street schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
27 pupils in this year group.
59% — 3 points below the County Durham average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 59% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 81% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 74% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 74% | 73% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in County Durham. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 21 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 21 |
| Of those, offered a place | 21 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 40 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 18th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 10% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.7% | 35.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 13th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 25% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.9% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 51% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.3% | 18.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 14th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 18% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.3% | 5.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 93% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.4% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 96% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.5% | 13.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 33% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.3 | 3.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 13th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 42% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.9% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 85% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.9 | 20.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 93% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 14.2 | 10.1 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 16 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 78% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 22.2% | 13.1%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Ouston Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Pelton Community Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion) · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- Barley Mow Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Portobello Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Roseberry Primary and Nursery School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chester-Le-Street CofE (Controlled) Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Infant School, Birtley 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), confirmed 2024
- Kibblesworth Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ravensworth Terrace Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 17 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 59% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 3 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston?
83% of the 53 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 21 families put St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston as their first choice for 21 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 21 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 148205.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.