Hermitage Academy
Chester le Street, DH2 3AD · County Durham · secondary school
13th 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 — 7.2/10 against 764 of them, against 5.5/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.81 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2024/25 | 43.1 · 48 | 30% | 1.45 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.12 · 58 | 25% | 1.46 |
| Attainment 8 2024/25 | 49.1 · 67 | 10% | 0.67 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Hermitage Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.12 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 (7.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join clubs including Star Wars, Crochet, Horrible Histories, British Sign Language, David Attenborough, Lego, Creative Writing, and Games & Chess. Sports offered include Football, Athletics, Rugby, Rounders, Cricket, and DofE drop-in. Arts and music options include Voices, Chamber Choir, String group, Film club, and Year 11 Composing. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 932 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 in the Year 11 Composing group to develop their skills? What specific activities are included in the DofE drop-in sessions? How does the after-school club structure support pupils who need extra help with
What Ofsted said about Hermitage Academy
Overview
The report describes a school that has undergone "significant improvements" and is now "calm and orderly." Leaders have high expectations for pupil behaviour and achievement, with a "well designed" curriculum that is delivered effectively.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, understanding the behaviour policy clearly and finding the reward system "motivating."
- The curriculum is "clearly sequenced and progressive," with lessons beginning with recall work to help pupils remember previous learning.
- Reading is "prioritised," with staff delivering effective interventions that result in "demonstrable progress" in pupils’ reading skills.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "fully included," accessing the same education as their peers with reasonable adaptations.
- There are many opportunities for personal development, including extra-curricular activities like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and peer support roles such as "reading ambassadors."
Areas to improve
- The school should "continue to enhance and further embed its curriculum plans" to ensure all pupils achieve the results of which they are capable, as some do not yet make the progress they could.
- The school should "continue its work to communicate effectively with all stakeholders," as some parents are not well informed about recent changes, weakening community relationships.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 46.1 |
| 2023/24 | 48.0 |
| 2024/25 | 49.1 |
| England | 47.0 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the average across the 3,209 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level average, 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.
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT