What a lot of hard work goes on in our school! Allow Mrs Clarke, the Head Teacher to tell you about us.

Mrs Clarke by Fiona, aged 6.

Saint Patrick's R.C. Primary School is located in North West Durham in a small semi-rural community serving an area of approximately three miles in radius.

The school is a Voluntary Aided school for children between the ages of four and eleven years. There are currently one hundred and sixty children on roll. The staff include the head teacher, six class teachers, and eight non-teaching members. Built in 1907, the school combines some of the enduring past with the best in modern methods.

Saint Patrick's R.C. Primary School is a vehicle for the fostering and nurturing of Christian attitudes and values. Each individual is viewed as special and we intend that they will experience a sensitive, sharing, caring and welcoming environment where they can find security, support, care and love.

By Hayley aged 6

"A hug is a great gift. One size fits all."

It is our belief that all members of the school community can contribute to the school ethos which should inspire and motivate all those who work within it.

The Central Mission Statement

We summarise the purpose of our school as follows:

The mission of Saint Patrick's R.C. Primary school is to serve the community from which our children are drawn by providing those children with a full range of educational, pastoral and liturgical experiences in a caring environment. We aim to develop in each individual pupil a full range of academic, social, sporting and cultural talents. We aim to develop within the school, a true sense of community spirit which will form a foundation for the pupils' future in the wider community and to do these things in a Christian environment, enriched by our Catholic tradition.

In October 1998 our school had a very successful Ofsted Inspection.  The Director of Education, Mr. Keith Mitchell took time out of his busy schedule to visit us and write a congratulatory letter in which he stated,

By Jane

"Not only did the school achieve 100% satisfactory (or better) lessons - a rare achievement by any standards - but it is the first school to be inspected in the County which raised no Key Issues at all. In other words, the quality of the school is not only outstanding but permeates the whole school. The quality of teaching is superb and the quality of leadership and management {...} is exemplary."

To read the entire report, of which we are very proud, click on the books to connect to the Ofsted website.

In March 1999 we also had a very successful Inspection Report on Curriculum Education and Collective Worship. Rt. Rev. Ambrose Griffiths OSB, the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle wrote  to us  in response, saying,

"It is an excellent report and does you great credit. It is especially good to read of the great emphasis you place on links with parents, the parish and the local community and the excellent teamwork which is a strong feature of your religious education teaching."

Our SATs results place us at the top of the Local Education Authority league tables.  To view  the 1999 Key Stage 2 SATs National Benchmark Information, click on the button.

If a child lives with criticism

He learns to condemn;

If a child lives with hostility

He learns to fight;

If a child lives with ridicule

He learns to be shy;

If a child lives with shame

He learns to feel guilty

If a child lives with tolerance

He learns to be patient;

If a child lives with encouragement

He learns confidence;

If a child lives with fairness

He learns justice,

If a child lives with security

He learns faith;

If a child lives with approval

He learns to like himself;

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship

He learns to give love to the world.

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