The Oaks Secondary School, Spennymoor

In its own words: "The Oaks Secondary School opened in 2005 in a new specially designed building. Our pupils attend from across South West Durham, with a significant number from further afield. We have achieved an ‘Outstanding’ grade from our last four Ofsted inspections. You can read our latest report in the ‘school’ section ."

The nearest other special schools to The Oaks Secondary School are Norman Cornish Academy (0.5 miles); The Grange Learning Centre (2.5 miles, Outstanding); Evergreen Primary School (3.9 miles, Good); and Walworth School (4.6 miles, Good).

Of the 62 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 89% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 61% to a further education college.

64.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 1.4% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

Almost every pupil at The Oaks Secondary School has an education, health and care plan (349 of 349 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.

The Oaks Secondary School provides for pupils with autism, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.

The nearest railway station is Bishop Auckland Rail Station, about 3.6 miles away in a straight line.

16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Beech Avenue (sw-bound), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 187 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The Oaks Secondary School issued 13 suspensions, 3.7 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.