Located in Ferryhill, West Cornforth Primary School is a primary school, serving pupils aged 2 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.

West Cornforth Primary School currently has around 252 pupils on roll, which is about 135% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 49.2% boys and 50.8% girls. Around 47.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 6.4%. Persistent absence is recorded at 15.7%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (88.5%).

Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

School Information

Address: High Street, Ferryhill, DL17 9HP
Website: http://www.westcornforth.durham.sch.uk
Telephone: 01740654315
School Type: Community school
Education phase: Primary
Local authority: County Durham
Headteacher / Principal: Mrs Kathryn Costello
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Not applicable
Unique reference: 114079

Map

Ofsted Inspection

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

Ofsted inspection date: 16/09/2025

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 2 - 11
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 186
Number of Pupils: 252
Number of Boys: 124
Number of Girls: 128

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 6.4% 4%
Persistent absence: 15.7% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British88.50%223
Other White2.00%5
Gypsy/Roma2.00%5
African2.00%5
Other Mixed0.80%2
Other Black0.80%2
Unclassified0.80%2
White and Black Caribbean0.80%2
White and Asian0.80%2
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.80%2
Chinese0.40%1
Indian0.40%1
White and Black African0.00%0
Irish0.00%0
Pakistani0.00%0
Bangladeshi0.00%0
Other Asian0.00%0
Caribbean0.00%0
Other (any other ethnic group)0.00%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: Well Below Average (-3.8)
Writing: Average (-2.2)
Maths: Well Below Average (-3.4)
Pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths
School
50%
Town average
57%
Local authority average
60%
England average
61%
Pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths
School
0%
Town average
8%
Local authority average
8%
England average
8%
Average score in reading
School
103.0
Town average
104.0
Local authority average
104.7
England average
105.1
Average score in maths
School
104.0
Town average
103.7
Local authority average
103.6
England average
104.3

Nearby Schools

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
West Cornforth Primary School
High Street , West Cornforth DL17 9HP
- not rated 0 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Coxhoe Primary School
Cornforth Lane , Coxhoe DH6 4EJ
3out of 4 1,115 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Cleves Cross Primary School
Cleves Cross , DL17 8QY
- not rated 2,159 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy
Cleves Cross , DL17 8QY
- not rated 2,159 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Broom Cottages Primary & Nursery School
Broom Road , DL17 8AN
3out of 4 2,765 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
The Woodlands
Broom Road , DL17 8AN
3out of 4 2,765 yd Pupil referral unit Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Rosebank School
Rutherford Terrace , Broom DL17 8AN
- not rated 2,835 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.