Kirk Merrington Primary School is a primary school in Spennymoor, serving pupils aged 4 to 11. The school is a community school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

Kirk Merrington Primary School currently has around 172 pupils on roll, which is about 100% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 47.7% boys and 52.3% girls. Around 11.0% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 3.7%. Persistent absence is recorded at 5.6%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (97.1%).

At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Outstanding. This indicates exceptional performance across all areas. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

School Information

Address: South View, Spennymoor, DL16 7JB
Website: www.kirkmerrington.durham.sch.uk/
Telephone: 01388816230
School Type: Community school
Education phase: Primary
Local authority: County Durham
Headteacher / Principal: Mrs Nicola Murray
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Not applicable
Unique reference: 114074

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Overall effectiveness
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 05/03/2024

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 4 - 11
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 172
Number of Pupils: 172
Number of Boys: 82
Number of Girls: 90

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 3.7% 4%
Persistent absence: 5.6% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British97.10%167
African1.20%2
White and Black African1.20%2
Other Mixed0.60%1
Bangladeshi0.00%0
Other (any other ethnic group)0.00%0
Other Black0.00%0
Caribbean0.00%0
Chinese0.00%0
Other Asian0.00%0
Indian0.00%0
Pakistani0.00%0
Irish0.00%0
White and Asian0.00%0
White and Black Caribbean0.00%0
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Other White0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Unclassified0.00%0

Education - Primary

Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.

Reading: Average (1.9)
Writing: Average (2.0)
Maths: Average (-0.5)
Pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths
School
83%
Town average
60%
Local authority average
57%
England average
61%
Pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths
School
6%
Town average
6%
Local authority average
8%
England average
8%
Average score in reading
School
109.0
Town average
104.3
Local authority average
104.0
England average
105.1
Average score in maths
School
106.0
Town average
103.7
Local authority average
102.8
England average
104.3

Nearby Schools

Nursery

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Dean Road Nursery School
Dean Road , DL17 8ET
- not rated 3,113 yd Local authority nursery school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Bessemer Park Nursery School
Bessemer Green , DL16 6PP
- not rated 3,166 yd Local authority nursery school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Kirk Merrington Primary School
South View , Kirk Merrington DL16 7JB
4out of 4 0 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Middlestone Moor Primary School
Rock Road , DL16 7DA
- not rated 2,432 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Middlestone Moor Academy
Rock Road , DL16 7DA
3out of 4 2,432 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Spennymoor West Infant School
Rock Road , DL16 7DA
- not rated 2,432 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Middlestone Moor Junior School
Durham Street , Middlestone Moor DL16 7AT
- not rated 2,561 yd Community school No Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Ferryhill School
Merrington Road , DL17 8RW
3out of 4 1,798 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
Ferryhill Business Enterprise College
Merrington Road , DL17 8RW
- not rated 1,798 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Whitworth Park Academy
Whitworth Lane , DL16 7LN
3out of 4 2,865 yd Academy sponsor led Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Whitworth Park School and Sixth Form College
Whitworth Lane , DL16 7LN
- not rated 2,866 yd Foundation school No Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Windlestone School
Chilton , DL17 0HP
- not rated 1,940 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Aycliffe Secure Centre
Care of: Durham County Council , 26 Chilton Way DL17 0SD
- not rated 2,240 yd Secure units Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Whitworth School
Rock Road , DL16 7DB
- not rated 2,275 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
The Oaks Secondary School
Rock Road , DL16 7DB
4out of 4 2,383 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.