The Gateshead Cheder Primary School

This is a material change inspection, commissioned by the Department for Education, to assess whether The Gateshead Cheder Primary School is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if it implements its proposed change of premises. The school has been operating across two sites since September 2025 and now proposes to teach pupils in Years 1 to 11 at the new Dryden Centre site from September 2026, while retaining the early years at its original Bede House site. Inspectors found that the new premises are suitable for pupils aged 5 to 16 but unsuitable for children in the early years, as there is currently no suitable accommodation for that age group at the new site. Overall, the school is likely to meet the standards relevant to the material change. The proprietor has taken a strategic and rigorous approach to the refurbishment, with the chair of the proprietor body overseeing the work alongside the headteacher and the governing body. Leadership and management are effective: the proprietor holds the headteacher to account with appropriate rigour, quality assurance covers all aspects of provision, and leaders have the necessary knowledge and expertise. Health and safety, fire safety, risk assessment, premises and accommodation, and accessibility arrangements at the new site are all appropriate and likely compliant, and safeguarding requirements are met. The main area of concern is the lack of suitable early years accommodation at the new premises, which means the school cannot deliver the proposed change in full for that age group. In addition, some minor building work remains, including decorating and furniture installation for Year 1 to 4 classrooms, and the proprietor still needs to submit certification to the buildings regulator to obtain the final certificate confirming the buildings work meets regulations.

Strengths

• The proprietor has taken a strategic approach to the refurbishment of the new premises.
• The chair of the proprietor body has planned and overseen the refurbishment work effectively.
• The proprietor holds the headteacher to account with appropriate rigour.
• Quality assurance processes cover all aspects of school provision, including premises, safeguarding and health and safety.
• Leaders and managers have the knowledge and expertise to meet the relevant independent school standards.
• The school has appropriate health and safety and risk assessment policies in place for the new premises.
• The proprietor has completed a detailed and comprehensive risk assessment of the new school premises.
• The school implements its health and safety policy effectively and maintains the new site rigorously.
• The school meets fire regulations at the new premises and is compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• The new premises include suitable toilet, washing and changing facilities for pupils aged 5 to 16.
• The new premises include a suitable medical room with a medical bed, washing facilities and a separate toilet.
• The new premises provide a safe and healthy physical environment for pupils.
• The new site has considerable outdoor space, including extensive playing fields and a large playground.
• The school has an appropriate accessibility plan for the new premises, including suitable access for pupils, staff and visitors with physical disabilities.
• Safeguarding requirements, including the single central record and safeguarding policy, are met.

Areas for Improvement

• The new premises are unsuitable for children in the early years, as there is currently no suitable accommodation for that age group at the new site.
• Some minor refurbishment work remains outstanding at the new premises, including decorating and furniture installation in Year 1 to 4 classrooms.
• The proprietor still needs to submit appropriate certification to the buildings regulator to obtain the final certificate confirming the buildings work meets regulations.

In 2025–26, 13.7% of pupils at The Gateshead Cheder Primary School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 1.3% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

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What is The Gateshead Cheder Primary School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Gateshead Cheder Primary School is Requires Improvement, from an inspection in September 2026.

When was The Gateshead Cheder Primary School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Gateshead Cheder Primary School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does The Gateshead Cheder Primary School have?

The Gateshead Cheder Primary School has 475 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Gateshead Cheder Primary School cover?

The Gateshead Cheder Primary School for pupils aged 3 to 16.

Where is The Gateshead Cheder Primary School?

The Gateshead Cheder Primary School is at The Dryden Centre, Evistones Rd, Gateshead, NE9 5UR.