Schools across Darlington

Local authority · 48 schools across 5 towns

Total Schools

48

29 primary · 7 secondary

Total Pupils

16,037

93% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

13

1 outstanding · 12 good

Capacity

17,218

1,181 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

12
34
Outstanding: 1
Good: 12
Requires Improvement: 1
Not inspected: 34

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

69.9%

KS2 Maths

71.3%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

94% full
8,559 pupils9,089 capacity

530 spare places

Secondary Schools

87% full
5,768 pupils6,617 capacity

849 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

6.2%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

17.5%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

39

2024/25

Absence trend across Darlington schools

4.5%
18/19
4.3%
20/21
7.2%
21/22
6.8%
22/23
6.8%
23/24
6.2%
24/25

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

72%

Plans Issued

172

Assessment Requests

245

Tribunal Cases

0

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

94%
2019
66%
2020
86%
2021
90%
2022
84%
2023
72%
2024

Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.

Admission Appeals

2025 admission appeals by school phase

Primary

1,431 admissions

9

Lodged

(0.6%)

5

Heard

1

Successful

(20%)

Primary (infant classes)

1,184 admissions

9

Lodged

(0.8%)

5

Heard

1

Successful

(20%)

Secondary

1,318 admissions

39

Lodged

(3.0%)

32

Heard

11

Successful

(34%)

Total

2,749 admissions

48

Lodged

(1.7%)

37

Heard

12

Successful

(32%)

Total appeals lodged per year

315
2019
325
2020
176
2021
68
2022
129
2023
128
2024
105
2025

Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.