SchoolScoresNorman Cornish Academy
Special academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of HORIZONS SPECIALIST ACADEMY TRUST
Whitworth Lane, Spennymoor, DL16 7QW
01388 811178 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 5 December 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
16 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 131905), before it changed to its current form.
0% — 42 points below the County Durham average, and 45 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 0% | 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. | 5.7 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 0.3 | 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.
10 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 131905), before it changed to its current form.
60% — 29 points below the County Durham average, and 32 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. | 60% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 50% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 50% | 60% |
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round. It caters for: Social, emotional and mental health needs.
| Pupils | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 74.6% | 65.1%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 100.0% | 100.0%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.0% | 0.0%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | 1.6% | 1.6%* | 14.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) | 29.9% | 13.3%* | 12.8% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) | 59.1% | 34.1%* | 35.3% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 31.7 | 7.5 | 12.3 |
| Pupils suspended at least once | 15.9% | 4.1% | 5.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Pupils per teacher | 5.1 | 8.3 | 6.6 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.3 |
| Teachers who left during the year | 8.0% | 6.3%* | 14.3%* |
Comparisons are with special schools. * 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 special schools
- The Oaks Secondary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2013), confirmed 2023 · 0% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Grange Learning Centre 2.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Norman Cornish Academy's Ofsted rating?
Norman Cornish Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 5 December 2023.
How did Norman Cornish Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 0% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 45 points below the England average of 45%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 151483.
- 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.