Trimdon Hill School
Trimdon Hill School is an independent special school in County Durham for pupils aged 4 to 11. It has 24 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for Trimdon Hill School is Strong standard, from an inspection in September 2026.
Ofsted inspection: September 2026.
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 4-11 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Salters Lane Trimdon Grange County Durham TS29 6EY |
| Reference Number | 151708 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 24 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 83.33%
Girls: 16.67% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 2 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 3 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 5 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 6 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
Trimdon Hill School is a small independent school for pupils with autism and speech, language and communication needs; all pupils have an education, health and care plan. This was its first standard inspection after registration in July 2025. Inspectors found the school reaching a strong standard in every evaluated area, with safeguarding and all independent school standards met. The report highlights a highly inclusive school where a carefully tailored curriculum, skilled staff and effective assessment help pupils make swift progress, often from significantly lower starting points. Attendance has improved markedly for most pupils, behaviour is managed calmly and skilfully, and early years practice is strong. Pastoral, clinical and teaching staff work closely together, personal development is rich, and leadership and governance are robust. The next steps focus on sustaining these high standards and extending the school’s impact locally and nationally rather than on addressing any identified area of weakness.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Strong standard |
| > Leadership & Governance | Strong standard |
| > Personal Development & Wellbeing | Strong standard |
| > Achievement | Strong standard |
| > Attendance & Behaviour | Strong standard |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Strong standard |
| > Inclusion | Strong standard |
| > Early Years | Strong standard |
| Last Report Date | 07 Jul 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 07 Jul 2026 | Standard inspection |
| 16 Jun 2025 | Pre-registration inspection |
| Proposed to open |
Strengths
- Curriculum is carefully tailored to pupils with autism and complex barriers to learning
- Pupils make swift progress and gaps in knowledge and skills close quickly
- Attendance has improved markedly for most pupils, including those previously out of education
- Staff use skilled de-escalation and positive relationships to support behaviour
- Early years provision prioritises communication, language and early reading
- SEND identification, support and review are highly effective
- Teaching staff use assessment very effectively to adapt learning
- Pastoral, teaching and clinical staff work seamlessly together
- Personal development is enriched through well-planned PSHE and therapeutic activities
- Leadership, governance and staff development are strong and well supported
In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Trimdon Hill School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% 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.
| Name | Distance |
|
Deaf Hill Primary School
Station Road West, Trimdon Station, County Durham, TS29 6BP |
0.97 miles |
|
Bluebell Meadow Primary School
Elwick View, Trimdon Station, County Durham, TS29 6JU |
1.1 miles |
|
St William's Catholic Primary School
Elwick View, Trimdon Village, Trimdon Station, County Durham, TS29 6HY |
1.14 miles |
|
Kelloe Primary School
Front Street, Kelloe, DH6 4PG |
1.87 miles |
|
Fishburn Primary School
East View, Fishburn, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 4AU |
1.88 miles |
|
Wingate Primary School
Church Street, Wingate, County Durham, TS28 5AQ |
2.23 miles |
|
Wheatley Hill Community Primary School
Wheatley Hill Primary School, Wheatley Hill, DURHAM, DH6 3RQ |
2.23 miles |
|
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Wingate
Welfare Park, Wingate, Co Durham, County Durham, TS28 5AN |
2.28 miles |
|
Cassop Primary School
Cassop, Durham, DH6 4RA |
2.37 miles |
|
St Godrics Catholic Primary School, Thornley
Thornley Road, Wheatley Hill, Durham, DH6 3NR |
2.4 miles |
|
Wingate Community Nursery School
Partridge Terrace, Wingate, TS28 5BD |
2.45 miles |
|
Thornley Academy
Cooper's Terrace, Thornley, Durham, DH6 3DZ |
2.93 miles |
|
Coxhoe Primary School
Cornforth Lane, Coxhoe, Durham, DH6 4EJ |
3.23 miles |
|
St Michael's Church of England Primary School
Front Street, Bishop Middleham, Ferryhill, County Durham, DL17 9AL |
3.39 miles |
|
Hutton Henry CofE (Controlled) Primary School
Hutton Henry, Hartlepool, TS27 4RY |
3.41 miles |
|
West Cornforth Primary School
High Street, West Cornforth, Ferryhill, County Durham, DL17 9HP |
3.61 miles |
|
Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academy
Hawthorn Road, Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 3DA |
3.69 miles |
|
Ludworth Primary School
Moor Crescent, Ludworth, Durham, DH6 1LZ |
3.8 miles |
|
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Shotton
Fleming Field, Shotton, Durham, County Durham, DH6 2JQ |
3.92 miles |
|
Bowburn Primary School
Crowtrees Lane, Bowburn, County Durham, DH6 5FP |
3.99 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Wellfield School
North Road East, Wingate, County Durham, TS28 5AX |
2.5 miles |
|
Sedgefield Community College
Hawthorn Road, Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, TS21 3DD |
3.72 miles |
|
Strawberry Lane
Wylam Street, Bowburn, County Durham, DH6 5BE |
4 miles |
|
The Academy at Shotton Hall
Passfield Way, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 1AU |
4.02 miles |
|
Open Air Education
Oakerside Lodge, Castle Eden Dene Nnr, Stanhope Chase, County Durham, SR8 1NJ |
4.4 miles |
|
St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College
Westway, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 1DE |
4.56 miles |
|
East Durham College
Willerby Grove, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 2RN |
4.73 miles |
All schools in County Durham · County Durham local authority: places and applications
What is Trimdon Hill School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for Trimdon Hill School is Strong standard, from an inspection in September 2026.
When was Trimdon Hill School last inspected by Ofsted?
Trimdon Hill School was last inspected in September 2026.
How many pupils does Trimdon Hill School have?
Trimdon Hill School has 24 pupils on roll.
What age range does Trimdon Hill School cover?
Trimdon Hill School for pupils aged 4 to 11.
Where is Trimdon Hill School?
Trimdon Hill School is at Salters Lane, Trimdon Grange, County Durham, TS29 6EY.