SchoolScoresStaindrop Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of ADVANCE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Cleatlam Lane, Staindrop, Darlington, DL2 3JU
01833 660285 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 October 2021.
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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
33 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Darlington comparisons use the 3 of its 10 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 7 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 | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 98% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 76% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 90% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 78% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 79% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 66% | 78% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 24 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 95% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 64% | 74% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darlington. Higher than 91% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97%said yes | 75% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 7%). 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. Darlington figures pool parents at the Darlington 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
78 pupils in this year group.
39% — 3 points below the County Durham average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 39% | 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. | 45.6 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.6 | 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.
61 pupils in this year group.
90% — about the same as the County Durham average, and 2 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. | 90% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 38% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 28% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 18% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 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 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 | 95 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 94 |
| Of those, offered a place | 94 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 171 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 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 | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 30.5% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.6% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 31.8% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 9th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 1% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.9% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 8th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Lower than 23% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Lower than 25% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 28.5% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Lower than 81% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.3 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Lower than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.21% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 61% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 83% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.5 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 8th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Darlington. Higher than 29% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is Staindrop Academy's Ofsted rating?
Staindrop Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 October 2021.
How did Staindrop Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 39% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Staindrop Academy?
97% of the 33 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Staindrop Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Staindrop Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 94 families put Staindrop Academy as their first choice for 95 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 94 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 144991.
- 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.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.