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OpenOfsted: Needs attentionURN 114340

Croft Community School

Community special school · Stanley · DH9 8PR

Ages 4–16 · 316 pupils · County Durham

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

5.1

Overall absence

14.5%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-01-13

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-2.05
−20+2
Attainment 85.1
English & maths grade 5+0%
English & maths grade 4+7%
EBacc entry0%

EBacc APS: 0.4

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)0%
Higher standard (RWM)0%

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence14.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)37.0%
Unauthorised6.0%
Authorised absence
8.4%
Severe absence (50%+)
7.9%
Enrolments in measure
265

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill112%

316 pupils · 281 places

Pupils on roll
316
Boys / girls
199 / 117
School capacity
281
Capacity fill
316 / 281 (112%)
Free school meals
58.3%
FSM pupils
183
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community special school

Age range

Ages 4–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Community special school
Headteacher
Mr Lee Davis

Location

Address
Greencroft Road End, Annfield Plain
Postcode
DH9 8PR
Town
Stanley
Local authority
County Durham
District
County Durham
Constituency
North Durham
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty; SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Special classes
Has Special Classes

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed community special school, Ages 4–16, in Stanley, County Durham, 316 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school. Free school meals: 58.3%. SEN provision includes: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder….

Open schools in Stanley
21
Academies among open schools in Stanley
76% (16)
Open schools in DH9
21
Open schools in County Durham LA
281

Nearby schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in StanleyNear DH9

  • Catchgate Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Stanley · DH9 8LX · County Durham

    Ages 2–11

    • FSM44.3%

    0.4 miles away

  • Annfield Plain Junior School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Stanley · DH9 7ST · County Durham

    Ages 7–11

    • KS257%
    • Absence6.0%
    • FSM57.6%

    0.8 miles away

  • Annfield Plain Infant School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Stanley · DH9 7UY · County Durham

    Ages 3–7

    • Absence6.3%
    • FSM38.0%

    0.9 miles away

  • Oxhill Nursery School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Local authority nursery school · Nursery

    Stanley · DH9 7LR · County Durham

    Ages 2–4

    • FSM0.0%

    1.5 miles away

  • Tanfield School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Stanley · DH9 8AY · County Durham

    Ages 11–16

    • Att850.9
    • P80.8
    • EM5+59%
    • Absence7.4%

    1.8 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Lee Davis
Telephone
01207234547
Website
www.croftcommunityschool.co.uk

Official links