GOVERNMENT inspectors have praised the “significant change” at a previously struggling North East primary school following its latest inspection.
During a recent visit to Woodham Burn Community Primary School, in Newton Aycliffe, Ofsted inspectors noted that “the school has undergone a significant change since the last inspection”, when it received a grade of Requires Improvement in 2022 under the old inspection framework.
The latest inspection was the school’s first since joining the Lingfield Education Trust in 2023, and found Woodham Burn to now be at Expected Standard in six out of seven areas.
The report noted that: “Leaders have secured improvements and changed the culture of the school”, and “as a result of leaders’ actions in response to a decline in pupil achievement in reading, more pupils are gaining the knowledge and skills they need to become confident readers.”
Perhaps most notably, inspectors concluded that: “Visitors, staff, parents and pupils all say that behaviour has improved significantly.
“Staff are now proud to work at the school and value the vision that leaders have set out.”
Executive Headteacher Mark Dipple, who joined the school in June 2025, welcomed the findings, but affirmed that staff understood there was more work ahead.
“It’s wonderful to have the fantastic progress made at Woodham Burn over the last three years recognised by Ofsted, but we’re not done yet,” he said.
The only area that inspectors rated as ‘Needs Attention’ was the school’s Early Years provision, noting that “Children are not as well prepared for Year 1 as they need to be”, though also praising how staff build “warm and nurturing relationships with children.”
“We’re very aware that there’s still work to do in Early Years, and we have a plan already underway,” said Mr Dipple.
“We are working closely with the trust and our school governors to make sure we’re doing the best things possible for the children.
"These efforts are already having an impact. I'm confident that we are already delivering some aspects of Expected Standard in our Early Years setting, and we are quickly addressing those areas which need further work."
Nick Blackburn, chief executive of Lingfield Education Trust, said:
“We were aware when Woodham Burn joined our trust that it was a school not living up to its huge potential.
“I’ve been delighted to see its progress, and I know there is more to come. Woodham Burn is now performing at a higher standard than it has in years, and that represents an invaluable benefit to the children and families in the area.”
Mr Dipple added:
“When Ofsted visits next, I’m determined that we’ll not just be at Expected Standard, but at Strong Standard – and we have the staff team to make it happen.”
