The short version
Average GCSE results. 85% capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2020).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 40.0 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2020
- This is a Church of England school, so faith criteria may apply to admissions
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
40.0
3.8 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
41%
0.9pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
29%
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
90%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
80%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
2%
Employment
Directly into work
7%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
7%
Based on 86 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 20 days per year on average — over a month of school.
32% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
4% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 19 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 13 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 45 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Church of England
Numbers
- Pupils
- 594
- Capacity
- 85%
- FSM
- 43.9%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Darlington
- Trust
- NORTHERN LIGHTS LEARNING TRUST
- Head
- Mrs Laura Porter (Principal)
Provisions
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
14 official reports linked on this page, including 13 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection: Good
January 2020 | School Inspection
Monitoring visit
November 2018 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
September 2017 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
February 2016 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
October 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
April 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
January 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Inadequate
October 2014 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
April 2013 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
January 2013 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
June 2011 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Satisfactory
January 2010 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
January 2009 | Monitoring Visit
Location
Hundens Lane, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 1LL
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmHeathfield Primary School
Primary · 381m away
St Teresa's Catholic Primary School
Primary · 810m away
The Rydal Academy
Primary · 961m away
Borough Road Nursery School
Nursery · 985m away
Gurney Pease Academy
Primary · 1.1km away
Firthmoor Primary School
Primary · 1.3km away
Red Hall Primary School
Primary · 1.4km away
Beaumont Hill School
Special school · 1.7km away
Questions parents ask
Is St Aidan's Church of England Academy a selective school?
No. St Aidan's Church of England Academy is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is St Aidan's Church of England Academy's Ofsted rating?
St Aidan's Church of England Academy was rated Good at its most recent inspection in June 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend St Aidan's Church of England Academy?
St Aidan's Church of England Academy currently has 594 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does St Aidan's Church of England Academy take?
St Aidan's Church of England Academy caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is St Aidan's Church of England Academy?
St Aidan's Church of England Academy is in Darlington, DL1 1LL, in the Darlington local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
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