Our Federation

The Durham Dales Federation is a group of small rural primary schools, formed in September 2023. From November 2025, our schools will join with Butterknowle, Frosterley, and Woodland Primary Schools to form the Durham Dales Partnership.

Staff across all schools work collaboratively to share expertise and to plan and deliver the curriculum. Our subject leaders coordinate their subjects across the federation, ensuring that all pupils receive the same high-quality learning experiences.

The Upper Dales schools — Wearhead and St John’s Chapel — work together regularly each week. At the start of the week, each school operates from its own site, and on Thursdays and Fridays, they come together at the St John’s Chapel Primary School site. These joint-working days allow children to learn in larger groups with peers of the same age, and we often plan visits and invite visitors to enrich these shared experiences.

Hamsterley pupils and staff join the wider group for educational visits and the annual residential experience for our KS2 children. They also take part in interactive sessions with other schools via Teams.

Have a look at our Facebook page and newsletters to get a flavour of all the great and exciting things happening across our Federation.

Sarah Hodgkinson & Richard Sains
Co-Executive Headteachers