Acre Rigg Infant School is a mainstream primary school in Peterlee, County Durham, for children aged 2 to 7. In January 2026, 59 of its 252 pupils (23.4%) were getting SEN support and 10 (4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–7
- 252 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in County Durham.
23.4% get SEN support
59 of 252 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
4% have an EHC plan
10 of 252 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication39
- Autism22
- Social, emotional and mental health8
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
- 2 to 7
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 252 (places for 189)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Kate Longstaff
- Free school meals
- 48% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 114154
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
Report card, May 2026: Expected standard in 5 of 7 areas
Inspected in May 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, May 2022).
Contact and getting there
Acre Rigg Road, Peterlee, SR8 2DU
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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
- Howletch Lane Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 0.6 miles
- Yohden Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.7 miles
- Hope Wood Academy Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.7 miles
- Elemore Hall School Special school · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 4.6 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Acre Rigg Academy Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 38.5%, EHC plans 2.3% 0.0 miles
- St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 17.1%, EHC plans 3% 0.7 miles
- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 13.6%, EHC plans 1% 0.7 miles
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Acre Rigg Infant School
How many pupils at Acre Rigg Infant School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 59 of the 252 pupils (23.4%) were getting SEN support and 10 (4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Acre Rigg Infant School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (39 pupils), autism (22 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (8 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Acre Rigg Infant 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 Acre Rigg Infant 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 Acre Rigg Infant School?
You can ask for Acre Rigg Infant 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 Acre Rigg Infant 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 Howletch Lane Primary School, about 0.6 miles away.
Where is Acre Rigg Infant School?
Acre Rigg Road, Peterlee, SR8 2DU, 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.