SchoolScoresPark View School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of PARK VIEW ACADEMY
Church Chare, Chester le Street, DH3 3QA
0191 388 2248 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 8 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 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 | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
136 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 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 10th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 84% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 9th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 87% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 10th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 47% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 82% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 54 parents whose child had been bullied 11th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 22% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 39% | 50% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 105 parents who had raised a concern Joint 9th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 43% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 70% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 27 parents of children with SEND 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 38% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | 61% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 10th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 44% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77%said yes | 82% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 8%). 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
234 pupils in this year group.
40% — 2 points below the County Durham average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 40% | 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. | 46.4 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 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.
239 pupils in this year group.
95% — 6 points above the County Durham average, and 3 points above 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. | 95% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 47% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 40% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 95% |
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
93 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 | 18% | 30% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 45% | 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. | 32.9 | 35.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
16 subjects, 195 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 43 | 0% | 5% | 27% |
| Psychology | 22 | 5% | 18% | 19% |
| Chemistry | 17 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Mathematics | 17 | 0% | 41% | 40% |
| History | 15 | 0% | 47% | 23% |
| Sociology | 14 | 14% | 36% | 20% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 13 | 8% | 38% | 15% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 11 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| English Language | 11 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| English Literature | 9 | 11% | 33% | 23% |
| Physics | 6 | 0% | 17% | 31% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Geography, German, Spanish, French.
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.
228 students in this year group.
86% — 10 points above the County Durham average, and 7 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. | 86% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 12% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 28% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 79% | 86% |
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.
162 students in this year group.
56% — 6 points above the County Durham average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 56% | 50% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 25% | 18% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 57% | 56% |
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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 235 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 250 |
| Of those, offered a place | 228 (91%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 498 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.1
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 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 42% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.2% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.5% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 20% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.5% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 62% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.0% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.7 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 55% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.1% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded7 pupils | 0.43% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 98% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 21.7 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 97% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.7 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 16% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 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
- Hermitage Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 1 strong, 6 expected · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oxclose Community Academy 3.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Park View School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 8 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Park View School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 40% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 6 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Park View School?
77% of the 136 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Park View School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Park View School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 250 families put Park View School as their first choice for 235 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 228 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 136971.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 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.