SchoolScoresBishop Barrington Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of ADVANCE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6LA
01388 603307 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 25 June 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
40 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
County Durham comparisons use the 15 of its 31 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 16 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 15th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 9% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 84% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 15th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 4% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 87% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 14th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 15% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 82% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 31 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 14th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 5% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 26% | 50% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 36 parents who had raised a concern 15th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 9% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 44% | 70% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 15th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 9% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 48%said yes | 82% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. County Durham figures pool parents at the County Durham schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
128 pupils in this year group.
24% — 17 points below the County Durham average, and 21 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 24% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 39.4 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.1 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
133 pupils in this year group.
87% — 2 points below the County Durham average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 87% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 23% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 14% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 44% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 87% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in County Durham. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 106 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 95 |
| Of those, offered a place | 95 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 307 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 9 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Higher than 91% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 51.7% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.6% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Higher than 82% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.8% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.7% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Lower than 12% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Lower than 6% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 36.9% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Lower than 77% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Lower than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.33% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Higher than 63% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Higher than 95% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.9 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Bishop Auckland. Higher than 75% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 18.3% | 10.4%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- St John's Catholic School and Sixth Form College 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- King James I Academy Bishop Auckland 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bishop Barrington Academy's Ofsted rating?
Bishop Barrington Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 25 June 2024.
How did Bishop Barrington Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 24% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 21 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Bishop Barrington Academy?
48% of the 40 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Bishop Barrington Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bishop Barrington Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 95 families put Bishop Barrington Academy as their first choice for 106 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 95 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 148706.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.