Outwood Academy Riverside
Middlesbrough, TS1 2AD · Middlesbrough · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th of 8 secondary schools in Middlesbrough 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 — 4.3/10 against 113 of them, against 1.9/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 32.1 · 18 | 45% | 0.83 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 40% | 2.10 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.3 · 21 | 15% | 0.32 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Outwood Academy Riverside overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 27.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. The Attainment 8 score was 43.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 745 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 raising their Attainment 8 scores to meet the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while managing a large intake?
What Ofsted said about Outwood Academy Riverside
Overview
Outwood Academy Riverside is a secondary academy where leaders and staff are “united in their commitment” to a diverse pupil population. The report describes a school with “warm and respectful” relationships, where staff provide “excellent pastoral support” and help pupils become “polite and resilient young adults.” However, inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and behaviour management currently prevent the school from achieving its full potential.
Strengths
- Staff provide “excellent pastoral support” and encourage pupils to become “polite and resilient young adults.”
- The curriculum is generally well-designed, with clear sequencing and embedded opportunities to “re-visit prior learning.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “well supported” through adapted lessons and ongoing staff training.
- Reading is a priority, with staff focusing on “important vocabulary” and providing additional support for early readers and those speaking English as an additional language.
- Pupils benefit from a “broad, rich set of experiences” beyond the classroom, including clubs, trips, and well-considered personal, social and health education.
Areas to improve
- Curriculum implementation is “too variable” across subjects, leading to inconsistent learning experiences and weaker knowledge retention in some areas.
- Behaviour does not always meet high expectations, as staff do not use rewards and sanctions “consistently,” resulting in “low-level disruption” that impacts learning.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with a “highly effective culture” where staff understand risks and share information quickly.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 43.2 |
| 2025/26 | 40.3 |
| 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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