SchoolScoresThe Rydal Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of NORTHERN ARCH LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Rydal Road, Darlington, DL1 4BH
01325 380784 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 December 2022.
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 |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
82 pupils in this year group.
46% — 16 points below the Darlington average, and 16 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 46% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 62% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 54% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 60% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 101 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 66 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 58 |
| Of those, offered a place | 58 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 107 |
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 | Darlington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 92% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 52.3% | 29.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.2% | 3.3%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 79% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 19.5% | 14.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 8th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.8% | 11.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 27th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 5% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.8% | 5.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 27th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 4% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 25.5% | 14.8%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 23rd lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 24% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.4 | 3.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 24th lowest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Lower than 25% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 25th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 27% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 18.5 | 21.7 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 16th highest of 30 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 57% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.1 | 11.2 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 28 state primary schools in Darlington. Higher than 71% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 19.2% | 13.8%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- St John's CofE Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Teresa's Catholic Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 85% met expected standard (KS2)
- Skerne Park Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 35% met expected standard (KS2)
- Firthmoor Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Heathfield Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Augustine's Catholic Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Corporation Road Community Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gurney Pease Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Reid Street Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Red Hall Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 25% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Rydal Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Rydal Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 December 2022.
How did The Rydal Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 46% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 16 points below the England average of 62%.
Is The Rydal Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 58 families put The Rydal Academy as their first choice for 66 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 58 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 138989.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.