Woodham Academy
Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4AX · County Durham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
12th 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 — 7.6/10 against 579 of them, against 5.8/10 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 | 46.5 · 54 | 30% | 1.63 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.09 · 57 | 25% | 1.41 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 50.5 · 72 | 10% | 0.72 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Woodham Academy overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2023. In 2024/25, 46.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 48.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.09 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 (7.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in netball and travel on trips to Berlin, Poland, Italy, Tanzania, Malaysia, France, and the Lake District.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,071 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,100. 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 the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming to exceed the national median in Attainment 8? How are the various international trips organised for families with different budgets?
What Ofsted said about Woodham Academy
Overview
Woodham Academy continues to be a good school, characterised by a "flourishing community" where pupils feel supported and safe. Leaders maintain high expectations for academic achievement and personal development, ensuring that curriculum design is ambitious and logically organised to broaden pupils’ horizons. The school is noted for its strong relationships between adults and pupils, with staff described as approachable and committed to providing the best possible education.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from an "ambitious" curriculum that develops cultural understanding and addresses important social issues, such as obesity in science.
- Teachers use effective modelling and careful questioning to draw out high-quality responses and quickly address misconceptions.
- Strong safeguarding arrangements are in place, with leaders investing in mental health support and working closely with external agencies.
- Pupils behave well, are "focused and engaged," and value the rewards and recognition they receive from staff.
- Staff appreciate the coaching process and professional development, feeling that leaders consider their workload and well-being.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, assessment does not precisely identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge, preventing teachers from efficiently adapting the curriculum; leaders should continue to develop assessment systems to better inform future teaching.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with pupils feeling safe, having trusted adults to talk to, and receiving regular training on keeping themselves safe from risks in the community and online.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.4 |
| 2024/25 | 48.2 |
| 2025/26 | 50.5 |
| 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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