Witton Gilbert Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Durham, County Durham, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 30 of its 188 pupils (16%) were getting SEN support and 7 (3.7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 188 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in County Durham.
16% get SEN support
30 of 188 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.7% have an EHC plan
7 of 188 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia14
- Social, emotional and mental health13
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
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
- 188 (places for 203)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Paula Nelson
- Free school meals
- 24.5% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 114122
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
Rated Good, July 2017; school remains Good (September 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in July 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, September 2022).
Contact and getting there
Sacriston Lane, Witton Gilbert, Durham, DH7 6TF
Loading the map…
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
- Durham Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.7 miles
- Durham Trinity School & Sports College Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 2.3 miles
- Durham Gilesgate Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 3.9 miles
- Croft Community School Special school · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted report card (2026) 5.6 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Sacriston Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 25.8%, EHC plans 1.6% 0.8 miles
- St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Sacriston Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 20.6%, EHC plans 3.1% 1.1 miles
- Bearpark Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 20%, EHC plans 6.7% 1.5 miles
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Witton Gilbert Primary School
How many pupils at Witton Gilbert Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 30 of the 188 pupils (16%) were getting SEN support and 7 (3.7%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Witton Gilbert Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (14 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (13 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Witton Gilbert 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 Witton Gilbert 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 Witton Gilbert Primary School?
You can ask for Witton Gilbert 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 Witton Gilbert 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 Durham Academy, about 1.7 miles away.
Where is Witton Gilbert Primary School?
Sacriston Lane, Witton Gilbert, Durham, DH7 6TF, 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.