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EnglandDarlington

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.

Area Performance

Darlington schools rank in the top 49% of England

Across 42 primary, secondary and sixth-form schools, state and independent. The average Find My School Inspection Score is 7.27/10, -0.11 vs England.

Find My School Inspection Band

7% Elite

Distribution across all Darlington schools

7%
24%
64%
EliteExcellentGoodDeveloping

Darlington vs England distribution

National Rank

Top 49%

Across all ranked Darlington schools

Top 46%Primaryavg #6,895 of 14,978
Top 60%Secondaryavg #2,216 of 3,680
Top 34%Sixth formavg #806 of 2,376

Primary schools: 30 schools (state + independent)

LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.1/10
-0.21 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#6,895
+4 pts vs medianmedian 7,489

top 46% of 14,978

% 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
-0.21 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#6,895
+4 pts vs medianmedian 7,489

top 46% of 14,978

% 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
-0.06 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.4/10
Average national rank
#2,216
-10 pts vs medianmedian 1,840

top 60% of 3,680

Attainment 8 score (out of 90)state
44.3
+5.2 vs Eng avgEng avg 39.1
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.3/10
-0.06 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.4/10
Average national rank
#2,216
-10 pts vs medianmedian 1,840

top 60% of 3,680

Attainment 8 score (out of 90)state
44.3
+5.2 vs Eng avgEng avg 39.1

Sixth form schools: 3 schools (state + independent)

LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
8.5/10
+0.76 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.7/10
Average national rank
#806
+16 pts vs medianmedian 1,188

top 34% of 2,376

% A*-A at A-Level
22%
-3 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 25%
% A*-B at A-Level
49%
-1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 50%
Average FMS Inspection Score
8.5/10
+0.76 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.7/10
Average national rank
#806
+16 pts vs medianmedian 1,188

top 34% of 2,376

% A*-A at A-Level
22%
-3 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 25%
% A*-B at A-Level
49%
-1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 50%

Overall Oxbridge

#854

2 ranked schools · +60 places vs Eng avg #914 of 1,984

Applications

29

Offers

4

Offer rate13.8%
-8.6 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 22.4%

Oxford

#287

2 ranked schools · -34 places vs Eng avg #253 of 1,198

Applications

15

Offers

0

Offer rate0.0%
-15.1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 15.1%

Cambridge

#721

2 ranked schools · +52 places vs Eng avg #773 of 1,881

Applications

14

Offers

4

Offer rate28.6%
-0.9 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 29.4%
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