The hardest schools to get into in Darlington
Secondary: 305 families put Carmel College first in 2026 and 215 of them (71%) were offered a place.
Reception: 47 families put St John's Church of England Academy first in 2026 and 30 of them (64%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Darlington with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carmel College · Darlington · faith | 305 | 215 (71%) | 216 |
| 2 | Polam Hall School · Darlington | 101 | 98 (97%) | 107 |
| 3 | Hummersknott Academy · Darlington | 205 | 199 (97%) | 247 |
| 4 | Hurworth School · Darlington | 110 | 109 (99%) | 118 |
| 5 | Haughton Academy · Darlington | 181 | 181 (100%) | 187 |
| 6 | Longfield Academy · Darlington | 122 | 122 (100%) | 130 |
| 7 | St Aidan's Church of England Academy · Darlington · faith | 76 | 76 (100%) | 83 |
| 8 | Wyvern Academy · Darlington | 50 | 50 (100%) | 59 |
Primary schools (Reception)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St John's Church of England Academy · Darlington · faith | 47 | 30 (64%) | 30 |
| 2 | Springfield Academy · Darlington | 40 | 31 (78%) | 31 |
| 3 | Holy Family Catholic Primary School · Darlington · faith | 38 | 30 (79%) | 30 |
| 4 | Mowden Infant School · Darlington | 73 | 58 (80%) | 59 |
| 5 | St Bede's Catholic Primary School · Darlington · faith | 49 | 43 (88%) | 45 |
| 6 | Heathfield Primary School · Darlington | 57 | 51 (90%) | 59 |
| 7 | Hurworth Primary School · Darlington | 31 | 28 (90%) | 30 |
| 8 | Mount Pleasant Primary School · Darlington | 33 | 30 (91%) | 30 |
| 9 | Polam Hall School · Darlington | 43 | 40 (93%) | 45 |
| 10 | Whinfield Primary School · Darlington | 60 | 56 (93%) | 60 |
| 11 | St Teresa's Catholic Primary School · Darlington · faith | 42 | 40 (95%) | 44 |
| 12 | West Park Academy · Darlington | 59 | 57 (97%) | 60 |
| 13 | Abbey Infants' School · Darlington | 73 | 73 (100%) | 80 |
| 14 | The Rydal Academy · Darlington | 58 | 58 (100%) | 66 |
| 15 | Northwood Primary School · Darlington | 54 | 54 (100%) | 55 |
| 16 | St. George's Church of England Academy · Sadberge & Middleton St George · faith | 44 | 44 (100%) | 48 |
| 17 | Reid Street Primary School · Darlington | 41 | 41 (100%) | 45 |
| 18 | Firthmoor Primary School · Darlington | 29 | 29 (100%) | 32 |
| 19 | Corporation Road Community Primary School · Darlington | 29 | 29 (100%) | 29 |
| 20 | Heighington Church of England Primary School · Newton Aycliffe · faith | 28 | 28 (100%) | 30 |
| 21 | St Mary's Cockerton Church of England Primary School · Darlington · faith | 24 | 24 (100%) | 30 |
| 22 | Harrowgate Hill Primary School · Darlington | 23 | 23 (100%) | 27 |
| 23 | Red Hall Primary School · Darlington | 21 | 21 (100%) | 23 |
Getting into a school in Darlington
What is the hardest school to get into in Darlington?
For secondary places, 305 families put Carmel College first in 2026 and 215 of them (71%) were offered a place. For Reception, 47 families put St John's Church of England Academy first and 30 of them (64%) were offered a place.
How many families in Darlington get their first-choice school?
91.5% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 92.7% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Darlington published it in its admissions booklet.