Whitworth Park Academy
Spennymoor, DL16 7LN · County Durham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
9th 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 — 8.2/10 against 572 of them, against 6.3/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 53.8 · 71 | 30% | 2.13 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.01 · 50 | 25% | 1.24 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 51.3 · 75 | 10% | 0.75 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Whitworth Park Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 55.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 50.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 996 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,300. 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 to raise their Attainment 8? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating?
What Ofsted said about Whitworth Park Academy
Overview
Whitworth Park Academy is described as a “welcoming and inclusive school” where pupils develop a “strong sense of belonging and pride.” Leaders have driven “considerable improvement” through clear vision and determination, resulting in high expectations for academic success and strong personal development. The school fosters an ethos of “children at the heart of everything we do,” with staff supporting pupils to build resilience and character.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, are keen to engage in lessons, and understand how to stay safe online and in person.
- Personal development is a strength, enriched by ‘Inspire’ days, visiting speakers, and educational visits that broaden pupils’ horizons.
- Teachers are “knowledgeable and passionate,” using assessment data effectively to improve pupils’ knowledge and understanding.
- Attendance has improved through targeted provisions like ‘Support 4 Success,’ and incidents of poor behaviour have fallen.
- Staff feel their views and well-being are valued, with professional development prioritised to strengthen practice.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should review the curriculum to ensure all pupils have the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects, as limited time in some key stage 3 areas restricts breadth.
- Staff require further training to consistently adapt teaching strategies for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Senior leaders must ensure there is capacity to quality assure the impact of recent changes and provide ongoing staff training to embed improvements.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with skilled leaders providing timely action and regular updates to parents on risks such as online safety.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.7 |
| 2024/25 | 50.4 |
| 2025/26 | 51.3 |
| 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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