SchoolScoresWhitworth Park Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of ADVANCE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Whitworth Lane, Spennymoor, DL16 7LN
01388 824800 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 5 October 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 |
| 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
148 pupils in this year group.
55% — 14 points above the County Durham average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 55% | 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. | 50.4 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.0 | 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.
147 pupils in this year group.
88% — about the same as the County Durham average, and 4 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. | 88% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 18% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 56% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 12% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 88% |
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 | 218 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 219 |
| Of those, offered a place | 212 (97%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 334 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 11th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 39.3% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 19th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.3% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 84% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.1% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 13th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 16% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.8% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 16th lowest of 30 state secondary schools in County Durham. Lower than 41% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 17th lowest of 30 state secondary schools in County Durham. Lower than 31% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.2% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Lower than 90% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Lower than 89% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 67% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 10th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 82% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.4 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 77% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 19.1% | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- Ferryhill School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Whitworth Park Academy's Ofsted rating?
Whitworth Park Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 5 October 2022.
How did Whitworth Park Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 55% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Whitworth Park Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 219 families put Whitworth Park Academy as their first choice for 218 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 212 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 145564.
- 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.