St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate is a mainstream primary school in Durham, County Durham, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 15 of its 86 pupils (17.4%) were getting SEN support and 6 (7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 86 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in County Durham.
17.4% get SEN support
15 of 86 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
7% have an EHC plan
6 of 86 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication10
- Social, emotional and mental health6
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
- Academy
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 86 (places for 157)
- Headteacher
- Mr David Miller (Executive Headteacher)
- Part of
- Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust
- Faith
- Roman Catholic
- Free school meals
- 25.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 148704
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, September 2013; standards maintained (January 2025)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in September 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: Standards maintained (ungraded inspection, January 2025).
Contact and getting there
Mill Lane, Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 2JQ
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 Gilesgate Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.3 miles
- Belmont Community School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 0.9 miles
- Durham Trinity School & Sports College Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.8 miles
- Strawberry Lane Independent · Ages 11–19 3.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Hild's College Church of England Primary School, Durham Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 26.9%, EHC plans 3.6% 0.1 miles
- Laurel Avenue Community Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 28.9%, EHC plans 2.6% 0.2 miles
- Belmont CofE (Controlled) Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 14.2%, EHC plans 0.4% 0.9 miles
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate
How many pupils at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 15 of the 86 pupils (17.4%) were getting SEN support and 6 (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 St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (10 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (6 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate?
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 St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate?
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 St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate?
You can ask for St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate 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 St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate 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 Gilesgate Primary School, about 0.3 miles away.
Where is St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate?
Mill Lane, Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 2JQ, 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.