Pelton Community Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Chester le Street, County Durham, for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 157 of its 290 pupils (54.1%) were getting SEN support and 7 (2.4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 290 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in County Durham.
54.1% get SEN support
157 of 290 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.4% have an EHC plan
7 of 290 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health90
- Speech, language and communication52
- Moderate learning difficulty8
- Autism5
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
- 2 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 290 (places for 384)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Karen Telfer
- Part of
- Connect Multi-Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 48.1% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 150349
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, January 2015
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in January 2015. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
Contact and getting there
Ouston Lane, Pelton, Chester le Street, DH2 1EZ
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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
- Chester-Le-Street CofE (Controlled) Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 0–11 · Ofsted report card (2025) 1.0 mile
- Birtley East Community Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 2.6 miles
- The Cedars Academy Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 3.9 miles
- Columbia Grange School Special school · Ages 5–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 3.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 14.3%, EHC plans 2.3% 0.7 miles
- Ouston Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 16.2%, EHC plans 0.4% 0.8 miles
- Roseberry Primary and Nursery School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 18.4%, EHC plans 1.1% 1.0 mile
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Pelton Community Primary School
How many pupils at Pelton Community Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 157 of the 290 pupils (54.1%) were getting SEN support and 7 (2.4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Pelton Community Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (90 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (52 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (8 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Pelton Community 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 Pelton Community 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 Pelton Community Primary School?
You can ask for Pelton Community 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 Pelton Community 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 Chester-Le-Street CofE (Controlled) Primary School, about 1.0 mile away.
Where is Pelton Community Primary School?
Ouston Lane, Pelton, Chester le Street, DH2 1EZ, 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.