Hamsterley Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 5 of its 36 pupils (13.9%) were getting SEN support and 1 (2.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 36 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in County Durham.
13.9% get SEN support
5 of 36 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
2.8% have an EHC plan
1 of 36 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream primary school
- Run as
- Council-run school
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 36 (places for 49)
- Headteacher
- Mr Richard Sains
- Free school meals
- 16.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 114053
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask County Durham council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Graded by area, July 2025; school remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next (February 2024)
Inspected in July 2025. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationRequires improvement
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next (ungraded inspection, February 2024).
Contact and getting there
Hamsterley Primary School, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, DL13 3QF
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Highcroft School Independent · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 4.4 miles
- Bishop Barrington Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 5.6 miles
- Evergreen Primary School Special school · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 5.7 miles
- Timothy Hackworth Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 7.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Witton-le-Wear Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 14%, EHC plans 1.8% 2.1 miles
- Howden-le-Wear Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 22.9%, EHC plans 0.6% 3.3 miles
- Butterknowle Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 25.9%, EHC plans 1.9% 3.3 miles
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Hamsterley Primary School
How many pupils at Hamsterley Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 5 of the 36 pupils (13.9%) were getting SEN support and 1 (2.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Hamsterley Primary School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Hamsterley Primary School?
Through County Durham council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Hamsterley Primary School?
You can ask for Hamsterley Primary School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Hamsterley Primary School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Bishop Barrington Academy, about 5.6 miles away.
Where is Hamsterley Primary School?
Hamsterley Primary School, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, DL13 3QF, in County Durham.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.