SchoolScoresHermitage Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed
Part of NORTH EAST LEARNING TRUST
Waldridge Lane, Chester le Street, DH2 3AD
School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 12 March 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 |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
225 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 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 14th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 84% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 12th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 19% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 87% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 12th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 26% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 82% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 105 parents whose child had been bullied 10th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 24% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40% | 50% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 189 parents who had raised a concern Joint 13th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 14% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 70% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 14th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56%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
153 pupils in this year group.
43% — 2 points above the County Durham average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 43% | 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. | 49.1 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.4 | 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.
197 pupils in this year group.
89% — about the same as the County Durham average, and 3 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. | 89% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 35% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 41% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 89% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
42 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 12% | 30% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 31% | 60% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 31.1 | 35.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
18 subjects, 111 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 12 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Law | 12 | 0% | 8% | 17% |
| Sociology | 11 | 0% | 9% | 20% |
| Business Studies:Single | 10 | 0% | 10% | 16% |
| History | 10 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 10 | 10% | 40% | 40% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 6 | 0% | 17% | 26% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 6 | 0% | 17% | 15% |
| English Literature | 6 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Psychology | 6 | 0% | 17% | 19% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Geography, Physics, Art and Design, Media/Film/Tv Studies, Biology, Mathematics (Further), Music, Spanish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
52 students in this year group.
90% — 14 points above the County Durham average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 90% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 12% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 31% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 90% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
38 students in this year group.
58% — 8 points above the County Durham average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 58% | 50% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 21% | 18% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 72% | 58% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 | 154 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 133 |
| Of those, offered a place | 133 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 368 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 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
| Pupils | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 31.2% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 16% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.5% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.7% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 8% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.4% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 67% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.4% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 67% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.0% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 23% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 30.6 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 39% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.0% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded12 pupils | 1.29% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 15% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.9 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 24% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.2% | 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
- Park View School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Hermitage Academy's Ofsted rating?
Hermitage Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 March 2024.
How did Hermitage Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Hermitage Academy?
56% of the 225 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Hermitage Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Hermitage Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 133 families put Hermitage Academy as their first choice for 154 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 133 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 147531.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.