Carmel College
Darlington, DL3 8RW · Darlington · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st of 8 secondary schools in Darlington we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 7.9/10 against 879 of them, against 7.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 54.0 · 71 | 46% | 3.29 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.38 · 78 | 38% | 3.00 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.7 · 80 | 15% | 1.22 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Carmel College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 60.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 53.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.38 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (8.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in a Fishing Competition and a Carmel Summer Silent Disco.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,367 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,382. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to maintain the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Carmel College
Overview
Carmel College is described as a welcoming school where the “Catholic ethos and values are at the heart of all that the school does.” Pupils “flourish” in a calm, orderly environment characterised by “exemplary” behaviour and strong community spirit. The report highlights high aspirations, excellent teaching, and a curriculum that ensures pupils achieve highly and are well-prepared for their next steps.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “well-sequenced” and provides a “deep and rich body of knowledge,” with rigorous checks ensuring it meets pupils’ needs.
- Teaching is of “high quality,” with teachers using questioning effectively to secure understanding and building on prior learning.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified with “speed and precision” and “achieve exceptionally well.”
- The personal development programme is “exceptional,” fostering character, safety awareness, and well-informed career choices.
- Staff are “highly motivated,” and the school prioritises staff well-being and workload.
Areas to improve
The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 53.6 |
| 2024/25 | 53.5 |
| 2025/26 | 52.7 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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