Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 17 March 2026
Compared with the local authority and England
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 | 43.9 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
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 | 29% | 42% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 59% | 61% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 57% | 57% | 60% |
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 | 22% | 33% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Based on 143 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
83%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
76%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
71 responses up to 6 April 2026 · 8% response rate
My child is happy at this school.
79% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
86% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
80% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
35% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
58% agreeOfsted inspected King James I Academy Bishop Auckland on 17 March 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; Expected standard for achievement, for curriculum and teaching, for leadership and governance, for personal development and wellbeing, for post-16 provision and for attendance and behaviour.
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 King James I Academy Bishop Auckland 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.
No. Distance only counts when King James I Academy Bishop Auckland 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.
King James I Academy Bishop Auckland had 962 pupils aged 11 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 956. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.