A primary school in Seaham has been rated "good" with the potential to become "outstanding" by Ofsted inspectors.

St Cuthbert's Primary School on Mill Road was given the rating following a May inspection.

The establishment primarily serves local children and is attended by a diverse student body.

Inspectors found that St Cuthberts "strives for excellence" while pupils were described as polite, well-mannered and considerate, reportedly enjoying coming to school.

Recommended

With elections around the corner, get the news as it unfolds. Subscribe for unlimited access and an Ad-free app experience. Only £4 for the first four months!

"A team of highly trained staff ensure pupils are safe," the inspectors continued, highlighting the positive relationships between adults and pupils.

St Cuthbert's is part of the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, with leadership under headteacher Nicola Noble and oversight by CEO Brendan Tapping and board of trustees chair, Daniel O’Mahoney.

Inspectors found that the leadership shares the same high ambition not to the detriment of staff workload or well-being.

Staff say they are well-supported.

The report also praised the school's curriculum, tailored to meet the needs of all pupils including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Inspectors found "staff teach this curriculum with consistency and fidelity... Across a wide range of subjects, pupils’ work is of exceptional quality."

Emphasising the potential for the rating of "outstanding", the report stated that the evidence suggests the inspection grade could be that if a graded (section 5) inspection were carried out.

Pupil behaviour was found to be exemplary, and attendance rates were high.

The provision of a breakfast club was mentioned, as well as the fact that the proportion of pupils with SEND is above average.

On broader skills development, inspectors noted the pupils’ keen sense of equality.

One pupil said, "No matter your sexuality, skin tone or disability, we’re all human and shouldn’t be treated any differently."

However, the school was criticised for a small minority of pupils who are persistently absent, missing significant amounts of learning and then struggling to catch up when they are at school.