SchoolScoresHaughton Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of THE EDUCATION VILLAGE ACADEMY TRUST
Salters Lane South, Darlington, DL1 2AN
01325 254000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 12 May 2026 , published 23 June 2026.
In short: 4 expected, 2 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. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets 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. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
168 pupils in this year group.
34% — 12 points below the Darlington average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 34% | 46% | 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. | 38 | 44.3 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.3 | 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.
154 pupils in this year group.
90% — 3 points below the Darlington average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 90% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 24% | 31% | 13% |
| Further education college | 60% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 84% | 90% |
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 Darlington. 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 | 187 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 181 |
| Of those, offered a place | 181 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 291 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 82% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 44.4% | 31.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.3% | 16.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 9.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Lower than 33% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Lower than 21% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.6% | 24.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Lower than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 81.2 | 32.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Lower than 14% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 8.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded8 pupils | 0.90% | 0.50% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 50% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 88% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 23.5% | 14.5%* | 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
- St Aidan's CofE Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), some aspects weaker 2025 · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- Longfield Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B- average A level grade
- Polam Hall School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 1 strong, 6 expected · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Carmel College 2.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wyvern Academy 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hummersknott Academy 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 4 expected · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Haughton Academy's Ofsted rating?
Haughton Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 12 May 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 4 expected, 2 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Haughton Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 34% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Haughton Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 181 families put Haughton Academy as their first choice for 187 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 181 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 138089.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 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.