Durham Academy
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 20 January 2026
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 37.4 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 22% | 42% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 44% | 61% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 42% | 57% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 26% | 33% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 3.1 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Based on 50 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 396
- Capacity
- 693
- Girls / boys
- 44% / 56%
- Free school meals
- 61%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23.6
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 6
- Leadership (FTE)
- 4
- Part-time teachers
- 4%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
Ofsted changed the Parent View questions in November 2025, so some questions differ between years.
63%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
54%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
43 responses up to 6 April 2026 · 11% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
65% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
67% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
63% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
40% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
38% agree
Questions about Durham Academy
What is Durham Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted inspected Durham Academy on 20 January 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Strong standard for inclusion and for attendance and behaviour; Expected standard for curriculum and teaching, for leadership and governance and for personal development and wellbeing; Needs attention for achievement.
How do I apply for a place at Durham Academy?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if Durham Academy is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day.
Does living near Durham Academy guarantee a place?
No. Distance only counts when Durham Academy has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at Durham Academy?
Durham Academy had 396 pupils aged 11 to 16 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 693. It is a mixed school with no sixth form, so students move on at 16.
