Wyvern Academy
Darlington, DL3 9SH · Darlington · secondary school
Check the area around this school
6th 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 — 3.1/10 against 397 of them, against 1.6/10 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 | 29.3 · 14 | 30% | 0.43 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.52 · 15 | 25% | 0.37 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.3 · 25 | 10% | 0.25 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Wyvern Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 24.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.7, against a national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.52 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils visit the Western Front in Belgium and France.
Getting in
The published school roll is 464 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores? How does the curriculum prepare students for the historical context of the Western Front trips?
What Ofsted said about Wyvern Academy
Overview
Wyvern Academy is described as a place where pupils are "happy, safe and learn well," with leaders having achieved their "ambitious vision" for the community. The report highlights a culture of celebration, strong relationships, and a broad curriculum that prioritises vocabulary and reading, resulting in good overall effectiveness.
Strengths
- Pupils feel valued in a "welcoming place" where bullying is not considered a problem and staff take it seriously if it occurs.
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with careful consideration given to disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Reading is embedded effectively across the school, with a "thriving" library and daily independent reading supporting pupil progress.
- Staff are described as "proud and happy," committed to the school’s vision and keen to "roll up their sleeves" to work hard.
- Pupils receive extensive careers information and learn about mental health, resilience, and well-being.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure teachers "check what pupils know and can remember" and that teaching is "consistently effective across all classes," as some tasks do not account for pupils’ starting points.
- Leaders should ensure pupils have sufficient opportunities to develop a "secure understanding of different faiths and religions," as current knowledge is lacking.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are "effective," with staff well-trained to identify signs of concern and pupils confident they have a named trusted adult to talk to.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.7 |
| 2024/25 | 37.7 |
| 2025/26 | 41.3 |
| 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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