SchoolScoresDurham Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of ADVANCE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Bracken Court, Ushaw Moor, Durham, DH7 7NG
0191 373 0336 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 20 January 2026 , published 8 March 2026.
In short: 2 strong, 3 expected, 1 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
43 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
County Durham comparisons use the 6 of its 31 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 25 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 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 22% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 72% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 18% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 76% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 29% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 68% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 10 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 39% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40% | 32% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 40 parents who had raised a concern 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 15% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 63% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 16 parents of children with SEND 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 17% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 38% | 44% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 19% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63%said yes | 72% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 11%). 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
50 pupils in this year group.
22% — 20 points below the County Durham average, and 23 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 22% | 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. | 37.4 | 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.
63 pupils in this year group.
76% — 13 points below the County Durham average, and 16 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. | 76% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 17% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 49% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 84% | 76% |
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 | 89 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 83 |
| Of those, offered a place | 83 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 117 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 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 14 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Visual impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Physical disability; Moderate learning difficulties. 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 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 62.1% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.1% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 28.8% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Durham. Lower than 8% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Durham. Lower than 10% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 34.1% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Lower than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Lower than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.51% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 79% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 19.7% | 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
- Durham Johnston Comprehensive School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham 2.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation 2.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 32% A*/A at A level
- Framwellgate School Durham 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Durham Sixth Form Centre 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B average A level grade
- The Independent Grammar School:Durham 2.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Durham Academy's Ofsted rating?
Durham Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 20 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 2 strong, 3 expected, 1 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Durham Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 22% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 23 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Durham Academy?
63% of the 43 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Durham Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Durham Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 83 families put Durham Academy as their first choice for 89 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 83 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 149251.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- 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.