The short version
Average GCSE results. At capacity.
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 44.6 vs national 43.8)
- This school does not have a sixth form
- The school is at capacity (95% full)
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Reading, Writing & Maths
Expected standard
Pupils meeting expected level in all three
59%
-3.0pp vs nationalHigher standard
Pupils exceeding expected level
6%
-2.0pp vs nationalSubject scores
Reading
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
104
-2.0 vs nationalMaths
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
105
0.0 vs nationalGrammar & spelling
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
104
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Official DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
44.6
0.8 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
38%
4.0pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
33%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
93%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
84%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
4%
Employment
Directly into work
4%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
3%
Based on 67 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 15 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
23% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
3% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 20 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 12 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 69 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Free schools
- Phase
- All-through
- Ages
- 4–16
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 841
- Capacity
- 95%
- FSM
- 29.6%
Governance
- Local authority
- Darlington
- Trust
- WOODARD ACADEMIES TRUST
- Head
- Principal Kate Reid
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
3 official reports linked on this page, including 2 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Location
Grange Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 5PA
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmSt Augustine's Catholic Primary School
Primary · 306m away
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
16 plus · 816m away
Skerne Park Academy
Primary · 913m away
George Dent Nursery School
Nursery · 1.1km away
Borough Road Nursery School
Nursery · 1.1km away
Abbey Junior School
Primary · 1.1km away
The Rydal Academy
Primary · 1.4km away
Corporation Road Community Primary School
Primary · 1.5km away
Questions parents ask
How many pupils attend Polam Hall School?
Polam Hall School currently has 841 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Polam Hall School take?
Polam Hall School caters for pupils aged 4 to 16. It is classified as a all-through school.
Where is Polam Hall School?
Polam Hall School is in Darlington, DL1 5PA, in the Darlington local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Polam Hall School have a sixth form?
No, Polam Hall School does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
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