Overall Oxbridge
#704
2 ranked schools · -51 places vs Eng avg #653 of 1,538
Applications
43
Offers
8
Offer rate18.6%
-10.1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 28.7%
Schools in Darlington
One of the largest settlements in North East England, Darlington is a market town in County Durham, sitting on the River Skerne with around 107,000 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. The town's market roots run deep.
The Headlands is widely regarded as one of Darlington's most school-competitive postcodes, drawing families who compete for primary places on the eastern edge of the borough. Staindrop, to the west, is among the most sought-after catchments for parents who weigh school options alongside village character and open countryside. Hurworth-on-Tees and Croft-on-Tees extend the appeal southward along the River Tees. The East Coast Main Line runs through the town centre, reaching Durham in around twenty minutes and Newcastle in just over thirty.
31
Primary
schools
8
Secondary
schools
1
All-through
schools
2
Post-16
colleges
6
Special
schools
1
Other
schools
of which3sixth forms·14faith·2nursery schools51 total
Area Performance
Darlington schools rank in the top 51% of England
Across 39 primary and secondary schools, state and independent. The average Find My School Inspection Score is 7.18/10, -0.18 vs England.
Find My School Inspection Band
12% Elite
Distribution across all Darlington schools
EliteExcellentGoodDeveloping
Darlington vs England distribution
National Rank
Top 51%
Across all ranked Darlington schools
Top 47%Primaryavg #6,991 of 14,821
Top 63%Secondaryavg #2,405 of 3,803
Primary schools: 30 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.1/10
-0.22 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#6,991
+3 pts vs medianmedian 7,411
top 47% of 14,821
% reaching expected RWM standardstate
66%
+4 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 62%
% reaching higher RWM standardstate
9%
+1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 8%
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.1/10
-0.22 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#6,991
+3 pts vs medianmedian 7,411
top 47% of 14,821
% reaching expected RWM standardstate
66%
+4 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 62%
% reaching higher RWM standardstate
9%
+1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 8%
Secondary schools: 9 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.3/10
-0.05 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.4/10
Average national rank
#2,405
-13 pts vs medianmedian 1,902
top 63% of 3,803
Attainment 8 score (out of 90)state
44.3
+5.2 vs Eng avgEng avg 39.1
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.3/10
-0.05 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.4/10
Average national rank
#2,405
-13 pts vs medianmedian 1,902
top 63% of 3,803
Attainment 8 score (out of 90)state
44.3
+5.2 vs Eng avgEng avg 39.1
Oxford
#262
2 ranked schools · 0 places vs Eng avg #262 of 1,866
Applications
24
Offers
3
Offer rate12.5%
-4.1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 16.6%
Cambridge
#589
2 ranked schools · +110 places vs Eng avg #699 of 1,830
Applications
19
Offers
5
Offer rate26.3%
-10.7 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 37.0%
Top 3 Primary Schools
2026
Darlington town
Top 3 Secondary Schools
2026
Darlington town
Local directory
School profiles in Darlington
Browse 40 local profile links across primary schools in darlington town, secondary schools in darlington town, sixth forms in darlington town and other schools. Each profile brings together admissions context, performance data, inspection history and school details in one place.
43 nurseries in DarlingtonPrimary schools in Darlington town
25 local matches
Secondary schools in Darlington town
7 local matches
Sixth forms in Darlington town
3 local matches
Other schools
7 local matches
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