SchoolScoresUTC South Durham
University technical college · Secondary, ages 14 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of THE DURHAM UTC LIMITED
Long Tens Way, Aycliffe Business Park, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6AP
01325 430250 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 5 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
49 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
County Durham comparisons use the 6 of its 31 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 25 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 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 87% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 72% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 88% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 76% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 90% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 68% | 78% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 33 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 90% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 63% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 26 parents of children with SEND 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 90% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 44% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 89% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96%said yes | 72% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 11%). 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
141 pupils in this year group.
29% — 13 points below the County Durham average, and 16 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 29% | 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. | 39.2 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.9 | 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.
143 pupils in this year group.
91% — 2 points above the County Durham average, and about the same as 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. | 91% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 38% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 36% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 91% |
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
22 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 | 17% | 30% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 48% | 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. | 31.9 | 35.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
6 subjects, 46 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 14 | 14% | 50% | 40% |
| Physics | 14 | 0% | 7% | 31% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 8 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Design and Technology (Product Design), Mathematics (Further), Chemistry.
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.
86 students in this year group.
76% — 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 workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 76% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 26% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 24% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 76% |
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.
41 students in this year group.
39% — 11 points below the County Durham average, and 21 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 39% | 50% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 7% | 18% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 23% | 39% |
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.
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 Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 34.5% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.6% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Lower than 37% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.1% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Lower than 15% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 31.9% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Lower than 78% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.4 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Lower than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 35% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.1 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Newton Aycliffe. Higher than 13% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2% | 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
- Greenfield Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2019, before conversion) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Woodham Academy 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is UTC South Durham's Ofsted rating?
UTC South Durham was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 5 March 2024.
How did UTC South Durham do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 29% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 16 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend UTC South Durham?
96% of the 49 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend UTC South Durham to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 142894.
- 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, 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.