Teesdale School and Sixth Form
Barnard Castle, DL12 8HH · County Durham · secondary school
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3rd of 30 secondary schools in County Durham we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 8.1/10 against 827 of them, against 8.1/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 66.4 · 88 | 30% | 2.63 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.27 · 70 | 25% | 1.76 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 57.0 · 89 | 10% | 0.89 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Teesdale School and Sixth Form overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.27 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in April 2025. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.5 out of 10 among them, against 6.7 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 684 pupils against a stated capacity of 968. 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 maintain their progress from Key Stage 3 to 4? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Teesdale School and Sixth Form
Overview
Teesdale School and Sixth Form has taken effective action to maintain the high standards identified at its previous inspection. The school remains a productive, safe and purposeful place where pupils enjoy strong relationships with staff and achieve well in their studies. Leaders have sustained high expectations, ensuring that the curriculum is delivered consistently well and that behaviour is excellent.
Strengths
- Staff have "high expectations" and are "deeply committed" to the vision for pupils to "experience excellence, every day".
- Teachers are "skilful at making learning interesting and accessible for all pupils", including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- The curriculum is "planned meticulously" with staff using "expert" subject knowledge to provide clear explanations and challenge thinking.
- Reading is a priority, with an "effective programme" including peer support that helps pupils develop "confidence, reading accuracy and fluency".
- The careers programme is "highly effective", ensuring pupils are "well equipped to make informed, ambitious choices" about their next steps.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure they "continue to develop and embed strategies for communication" so that parents are fully informed about their child’s education, as current communication has been "variable".
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 53.4 |
| 2024/25 | 49.6 |
| 2025/26 | 57.0 |
| 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
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