Darwin School, Thirsk
Darwin School is an independent school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Thirsk.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Darwin School in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Darwin School are Queen Mary's School (1.5 miles); and Cundall Manor School (4.2 miles, selective).
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Darwin School has an education, health and care plan (9 of 9 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Thirsk Rail Station, about 4 miles away in a straight line.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is C of E Primary School (nw-bound), 130 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in North Yorkshire (9).
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's April 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Darwin School is thoughtfully designed for pupils who have experienced educational disruption or have additional needs. The school combines academic rigour with genuine care, offering a calm, nurturing environment where staff build positive relationships with pupils. Leaders demonstrate deep understanding of their pupils' needs and provide tailored support including therapy services, specialised teaching strategies, and enrichment activities that help pupils develop life skills and confidence.
Key Strengths
- Broad and ambitious curriculum with well-sequenced subjects leading to recognised qualifications (GCSE, BTEC, ADAN)
- Specialist support including access to therapists and tailored provision for pupils with SEND and EHC plans
- Nurturing, caring ethos with small school environment and focus on positive relationships between staff and pupils
- High-quality learning environment with refurbished 19th century premises, spacious classrooms, and excellent facilities
- Strong careers guidance programme measured against Gatsby Benchmarks with links to further education and workplaces
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with suitable policies in line with statutory guidance, comprehensive staff training, identified designated safeguarding leads, and close working relationships with external professionals to protect vulnerable pupils.
Extracurricular Activities
Assemblies, visiting speakers, debates about different faiths and beliefs, cooking skills in school kitchen, vegetable gardening, countryside walks, equine therapy, village community involvement activities
Darwin School is a new independent school set to open in Baldersby St James, North Yorkshire, designed for pupils who have experienced gaps in their education and/or have special educational needs. The school is likely to meet all independent school standards when it opens.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Keep up with Darwin School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in North Yorkshire is 3 (the median across 382 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
38%
Available places
9 pupils
24 places
15 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Thirsk
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Thirsk
Across North Yorkshire council
Places available
7,086
Applications
5,586
Got 1st preference
91.9%
Got preferred school
98.8%
All secondary applications across North Yorkshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
9
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
9
Total Pupils
6
Boys
3
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Darwin School
Questions parents ask about Darwin School
How many pupils go to Darwin School?
Darwin School has around 9 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Darwin School?
Darwin School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Darwin School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in North Yorkshire is 3 (the median across 382 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Darwin School?
Darwin School is at Baldersby St James, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4PT.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)