Dene Academy
Peterlee, SR8 5RL · County Durham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
20th of 30 secondary schools in County Durham we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.5/10 against 140 of them, against 4.2/10 nationally. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 32.7 · 20 | 30% | 0.59 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.33 · 74 | 25% | 1.86 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.2 · 25 | 10% | 0.25 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dene Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.33 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 638 pupils against a stated capacity of 818. 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
Since the last inspection was in 2024, what specific improvements have been made to raise Attainment 8 towards the national median? How does the school support pupils in reaching the 33.3% benchmark for English and maths grades?
What Ofsted said about Dene Academy
Overview
Dene Academy is described as a “caring and nurturing school” where staff hold “high aspirations” for pupils, fostering a positive culture and warm relationships. The report highlights an inclusive environment, notably reflected in its ‘School of Sanctuary’ status, where pupils generally behave well and respect differences. While the quality of education is strong, inconsistencies in curriculum planning and assessment across some subjects currently hinder pupils from achieving their full potential.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from an “ambitious curriculum” that is “well-ordered” in most subjects, helping them build knowledge and skills over time.
- Teachers provide “clear instructions and explanations,” often modelling successful responses, which supports effective learning in subjects like English and mathematics.
- The school offers a “wide range of opportunities” for personal development, including leadership roles and activities like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, fostering responsibility and community engagement.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is effective, ensuring they “learn well alongside their peers” through accurate identification of needs.
- A “very well planned” personal, social and health education programme and careers guidance help pupils develop high aspirations and make informed future decisions.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure the most important knowledge is “mapped out consistently well across all subjects,” as gaps in some areas leave pupils with less secure subject knowledge.
- Assessment strategies need to be “further embed[ded]” to help pupils remember important knowledge consistently, as current checks are not deep enough in all subjects.
- The school should ensure new leaders receive adequate support and professional development to “monitor and evaluate the school’s work accurately” and drive continued 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 | 40.2 |
| 2024/25 | 41.4 |
| 2025/26 | 41.2 |
| 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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