Welcome to Green Lane CE Primary School
Green Lane Church of England Primary School & Nursery has the highest educational aspirations for each and every learner. We combine academic excellence with a caring, nurturing environment that sees our pupils achieve exceptional results. We are more than just a school, we are a family. In our school everyone succeeds, we ensure that each and every one of our learners leaves our school ready to carry on their educational journey with the highest levels of attainment and with the highest of respect for their friends, their peers, their teachers and their community.
Read MessageAn INSPIRING
place to be
Green Lane Ofsted - Letter from very proud headteacher
Link to report: Green Lane Ofsted Report September 2026
Dear parents and carers,
It is with great delight that I share a copy of the Ofsted report from our recent inspection with you. There is so much on it to celebrate and I will pick out a few sentences to share with you in this letter.
I should start by explaining how the new inspections are graded. Rather unhelpfully they have changed ‘good’ to ‘expected standard’ and in fact ‘expected standard’ is harder to achieve than ‘good’ so wherever you see ‘expected standard’ you know that the school has achieved something special. There is no ‘outstanding’ anymore, that has been replaced with ‘strong,’ which I think is at least a bit more self-explanatory. There is a new category ‘needs attention’:
“Needs Attention” is not a fail. It is entirely normal for schools to have areas that require further development. This wording simply reflects where practice is still embedding or where additional focus is needed. Many schools—no matter how strong—will have such areas.
Hopefully that helps you understand the report a little better.
I will pick out some quotes that I think are highlights and ones that I think you will be particularly interested in:
Early years - Strong standard
Children do extremely well in early years. Skilled leadership has ensured that the ‘Happy Hollow’ is a jewel in the school’s crown. Children achieve well across the different areas of learning. Children are safe and happy here. They belong and they thrive.
How fantastic is that!?! I am so proud of Mrs Linsley and her team. What a super reception and nursery provision we have at Green Lane.
Inclusion
This is an inclusive school. Leaders welcome pupils whatever their needs or backgrounds. Additional funding is used effectively to ensure that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve well. Leaders work closely with parents, carers and professionals to put effective support in place to meet each individual pupil's needs.
What a tremendous first sentence: THIS IS AN INCLUSIVE SCHOOL! Enough said!
Leadership and governance
Leaders help pupils to develop a love of learning and to love one another. The school values of care, respect, honesty and forgiveness are evident at Green Lane. Leaders seek to nurture and inspire pupils and make them all feel included. Leaders are compassionate and caring. Staff are very positive about working at the school, particularly regarding how leaders consider their workload and wellbeing. Parents and carers are very happy with the school. Leaders work hard to ensure that relationships with families are positive. They make sure that pupils feel safe and secure. Pupils feel a sense of belonging at school.
Isn’t great to be recognised for what we do like this! I have to be honest we had a tear in our eyes when we read this…
Achievement
Pupils speak with confidence and express themselves well. Pupils do well in subjects across the curriculum. Their handwriting and reading skills are secure. In addition, children in early years are very well prepared for Year 1, and pupils also do particularly well in the phonics assessment.
Great to hear that pupils at Green Lane do well in all subjects, we are not just focused on maths and English here, our children get a broad and balanced curriculum. Well done staff!
Curriculum and teaching
A rich curriculum that captures pupils’ interest is in place. Teachers adapt activities well to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Class novels support pupils to develop their reading skills. There is a focus on helping pupils to speak confidently and with precision. Leaders promote diversity and equality within the curriculum.
I am so proud that the inspector saw how confident our children are and how much time we put into supporting each and every pupil. Being recognised as a school with a rich curriculum that captures children’s interests is also a special moment for us all.
Personal development and wellbeing
The school has a well-designed programme to support pupils’ personal development and wellbeing. It is enriched by clubs, visiting speakers, leadership opportunities and community events. Leaders make sure that everyone can be included, regardless of financial circumstances or ability. Pupils live the school values. They know that care, respect, honesty and forgiveness are important. They value difference. Staff care deeply for pupils.
We try so hard to make every child feel like they are happy and belong here. For an Ofsted inspector to see that in action and to comment on is so special.
Behaviour
The school values guide how pupils behave. Pupils here are caring and nurturing. Relationships between pupils and staff are based on respect. In class, pupils behave well. Unkind words and bullying are extremely rare. Staff help pupils to sort out any disagreements. Discrimination is not present at Green Lane.
I have always said how incredible the pupils are at this school and here we can read the proof of that it in black and white. Thank you children, you make every day special.
Attendance
There is only one area that needs attention and that is attendance. The inspector could see all the actions that school had taken to improve attendance, including the golden attendance certificates that we started in September, he celebrated that and could see the improvements in attendance. This is an area that we will need to work together on to keep the improvements going, parents and school.
What it's like to be a pupil at this school
All pupils are welcomed and celebrated at Green Lane. Pupils here love to learn and understand the importance of kindness. Pupils are nurtured, inspired, respected and included. These values weave through all aspects of school life. As a result, pupils are welcoming to one another and show respect. They are thoughtful and behave well in classrooms and around the building. Bullying or unkind words are rare. Staff help deal with any disagreements should they occur. Pupils feel safe here. Parents have a very positive view of the school.
This is a new section that has come in since the new inspection framework has been in place and I think it is a really useful section for parents and for anyone thinking of joining a school. The section I have copied for you to read is full of fantastic words!
I want to take a few moments to say that this Ofsted has made me very proud, proud of the staff, proud of the children and of course proud of you all for choosing our school and for working with us to make this school the fantastic place it is. I shall retire at Christmas a very happy man.
Yours incredibly joyfully,
Rob Goffee - Headteacher ... See MoreSee Less
15 CommentsComment on Facebook
Really it depends on who the children are to be inclusive!!!
Massive congratulations well done! 🤩
An amazing report well done everyone such a wonderful school !
Absolutely fantastic well done, your all fabulous
Congratulations!
Well done Team GL 👏
Well deserved, Team GL! ✨
Congratulations ! This is an inclusive school!
Well done Team GL. Great result. You guys are awesome 👏 👏
Well done Team GL!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽❤️
Well Done 🙌🏻
Congratulations and well done Team GL!!!
Well done everyone
Well done x
FABULOUS well done Team Gl. Congratulations xx
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The Ofsted report is here!
It is with tremendous pleasure that I share with you all the school's Ofsted report. I can't put into words how proud I am of this school and how touched I am by the inspector's words. You are all in for a wonderful read! I have written a letter to go with the report which I hope helps to explain the new grading system and share a few of my favourite quotes which can be found on our website using the below link.
www.greenlane.durham.sch.uk/key-information/school-performance/
Bestest of best wishes,
Rob Goffee
Headteacher ... See MoreSee Less
School Performance
www.greenlane.durham.sch.uk
Ofsted Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Ofsted regulate and inspect schools and colleges to seek improvement in the service. They carry out large num...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Win a Home Robot Bundle in March's Super Draw! ... See MoreSee Less
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Put your feet up this spring and let the robots take care of your home and garden with our March Super Draw Prize! Get tickets before Saturday 29th March for your chance to win.0 CommentsComment on Facebook