Durham Academy
Durham, DH7 7NG · County Durham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
28th 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 — 4.8/10 against 181 of them, against 2.5/10 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 | 17 | 35% | 0.60 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 33.9 · 22 | 30% | 0.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.25 · 31 | 25% | 0.77 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.0 · 15 | 10% | 0.15 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Durham Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 22.0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.25, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 405 pupils against a stated capacity of 693. 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 close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students from similar backgrounds? How does the new Ofsted framework influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Durham Academy
Overview
Durham Academy is described as a small school with "big aspirations" where leaders have driven significant improvements in attendance, behaviour, and inclusion. While the school meets expected standards in curriculum and leadership, pupil attainment in national examinations remains below average, requiring focused action to close knowledge gaps.
Strengths
- Attendance has improved significantly, with persistent absence declining sharply due to "consistent, determined effort" and effective wellbeing support.
- Behaviour is "calm and purposeful," with pupils displaying resilience, respect, and high engagement in lessons.
- Inclusion is rated at a strong standard, with "bespoke support" for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils.
- Leaders demonstrate a "deep understanding" of the school’s context, ensuring all pupils have equal access to enrichment and career opportunities.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure gaps in pupils’ knowledge and skills are closed rapidly to improve attainment in national tests and examinations.
- Expectations of teaching need to be "consistently well embedded" across the school, as the depth of pupil knowledge is currently inconsistent between subjects.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 36.3 |
| 2024/25 | 37.4 |
| 2025/26 | 39.0 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of DH7 7NG, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT