Durham Academy, Durham
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 8 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Durham Academy excels at supporting pupils' wellbeing and attendance, with caring staff who understand each pupil's individual needs. The school provides excellent pastoral support and a wide range of enrichment opportunities that help all pupils thrive. Pupils behave exceptionally well and enjoy coming to school in this inclusive, supportive environment.
Key Strengths
- Attendance has improved dramatically with persistent absence rates declining sharply, especially for disadvantaged pupils
- Behaviour is excellent with a calm, purposeful school environment where pupils engage well in lessons
- Strong inclusion and support for pupils with SEND and those facing barriers to learning
- Wellbeing and emotional support is highly effective, helping pupils feel safe and supported
- Wide range of enrichment activities and equal access for all pupils
Areas for Improvement
- Pupils' attainment in national tests and examinations has been below average over time
- Too few pupils achieving basic qualifications needed for future education and employment
- Depth of knowledge in some subjects and key stages is inconsistent
- Opportunities to extend and deepen pupils' understanding are not always taken in lessons
- Pupils' knowledge of different faiths and cultures is still developing
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has an open and positive culture of safeguarding with all legal requirements fulfilled, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Equine care, golf, orienteering, film studies, go-kart challenge, work experience, employer talks
Durham Academy is a small school with big aspirations where attendance and behaviour have improved significantly over time. Despite strong improvements in many areas, pupils' attainment in national tests and examinations remains below average and needs to improve.
At a Glance
59.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
23.1
Avg class size
16
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
58%
Available places
405 pupils
693 capacity
288 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Durham
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Durham
Admissions Demand - County Durham
Places available
5,856
Applications
5,186
Got 1st preference
94.1%
Got preferred school
98.5%
Secondary admissions across County Durham (2025/26)
Inspection History(2)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
12.20293%
Overall absence
34.11765%
Persistent absence
425
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Durham Academy
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Ushaw Moor
Our Lady & St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Ushaw Moor
Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery
Bearpark Primary School
New Brancepeth Primary Academy
Witton Gilbert Primary School
Langley Park Primary School
Neville's Cross Primary School and Nursery
Langley Moor Primary School
Nearby Schools
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