Polam Hall School
Darlington, DL1 5PA · Darlington · all-through school
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5th of 8 secondary schools in Darlington 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 — 5.4/10 against 766 of them, against 4.3/10 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 | 18 | 35% | 0.63 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 40.4 · 38 | 30% | 1.16 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.05 · 46 | 25% | 1.16 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.9 · 49 | 10% | 0.49 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Polam Hall School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.6, matching the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.05 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly 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 (5.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.0 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in November 2025 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Film, Mindful Colouring, Reading, Drama, Colouring, and Drawing Clubs. Sports include Football, Pop Dance, Athletics, Cricket, and Tennis. Forest School is offered for arts and music, and an after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 842 pupils against a stated capacity of 882. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Polam Hall School
Overview
Polam Hall School is described as a "calm, positive place to learn" where pupils enjoy "warm relationships" with staff and peers. The report highlights a "considerable positive impact" on personal development, with pupils feeling safe and confident in a supportive community.
Strengths
- The personal development programme has a "considerable positive impact," offering a "rich and diverse offer" that broadens pupils' horizons.
- Pupils are "confident and articulate" when discussing their learning, showing maturity in reflecting on world events through the 'Nosce Te Ipsum' programme.
- Attendance is "generally" good, with leaders maintaining a "precise lens" on individual pupil attendance to offer timely support.
- The early years provision provides a "positive start," with children developing independence and social skills through well-understood routines.
- Inclusion is strong, with staff having an "accurate understanding" of needs and providing tailored support through in-house provisions.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should strengthen consistency in teaching across the school so that curriculum delivery matches the "most effective areas."
- Leaders should develop whole-school strategies to enable pupils, "particularly those who are disadvantaged," to achieve consistently well.
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 | 42.0 |
| 2024/25 | 44.6 |
| 2025/26 | 45.9 |
| 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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