SchoolScoresDene Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of ADVANCE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Manor Way, Peterlee, SR8 5RL
0191 554 6000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 November 2023.
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
83 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Peterlee comparisons use the 3 of its 4 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other one has 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 | Peterlee | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterlee. Higher than 22% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 90% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterlee. Higher than 18% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 92% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterlee. Higher than 31% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 89% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 46 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterlee. Higher than 15% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 35% | 60% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 75 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterlee. Higher than 20% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 80% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterlee. Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72%said yes | 92% | 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. Peterlee figures pool parents at the Peterlee 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
96 pupils in this year group.
33% — 8 points below the County Durham average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 33% | 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. | 41.4 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.4 | 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.
124 pupils in this year group.
85% — 4 points below the County Durham average, and 7 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. | 85% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 5% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 72% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 85% |
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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 104 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 101 |
| Of those, offered a place | 101 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 180 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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
| Pupils | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 61.1% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 94% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 23.2% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Lower than 20% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Lower than 20% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.9% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Lower than 30% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 25.3 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Lower than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded7 pupils | 1.09% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 6% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 8% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 7% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 5.8% | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- Open Air Education 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Academy at Shotton Hall 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Easington Academy 2.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wellfield School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018, before conversion) · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Dene Academy's Ofsted rating?
Dene Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 November 2023.
How did Dene Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 33% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Dene Academy?
72% of the 83 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Dene Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Dene Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 101 families put Dene Academy as their first choice for 104 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 101 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 147122.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- 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.