Acklam Grange School Review 2026: Solid Performance and a Strong Community Heart

Acklam Grange School stands as a significant educational anchor in Middlesbrough, serving a large and diverse student body of nearly 1,500. It is a school that combines scale with a remarkably focused sense of community, currently operating as a high performing member of The Legacy Learning Trust. The school consistently produces results that exceed local averages, maintaining a steady reputation for academic reliability in Cleveland.

The leadership team, headed by Mr Michael Laidler (appointed August 2017), has cultivated an environment where high expectations are the norm rather than the exception. In 2024, the school maintained its position as a preferred choice for families in the Acklam area, with GCSE outcomes that reflect solid, consistent performance within the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

The atmosphere at Acklam Grange is one of purposeful activity. As a large mainstream secondary, the school managed to avoid feeling impersonal by utilizing a highly structured pastoral system that ensures students are known as individuals. The school buildings, situated on Lodore Grove, provide a modern and well maintained backdrop for learning, with specialized wings for technology and the arts that reflect a commitment to a broad curriculum.

Ethos is driven by the AGS Way, a set of standards that govern everything from classroom behavior to how students interact in the corridors. This focus on traditional values like respect and hard work is visible in the calm transitions between lessons. While it is a large school, the presence of senior leaders at the gates and in the social spaces creates a supervised, safe environment that parents frequently cite as a primary strength.

The school serves a diverse catchment, and this is reflected in a culture that celebrates different backgrounds through various international and community projects. It is an inclusive environment where students are encouraged to take pride in both their local Middlesbrough roots and their potential as global citizens.

The 2024 GCSE results tell a story of consistent achievement. The school achieved an Average Attainment 8 score of 48.1, which sits comfortably above the England average of 45.9. This indicates that students at Acklam Grange generally achieve higher grades across their suite of eight key subjects than their peers nationally.

Ranked 3rd among secondaries in Middlesbrough and 1670th in England (FindMySchool ranking), the school demonstrates its ability to add significant value to its students. The Progress 8 score of +0.31 is particularly telling; it confirms that students make more progress between the end of primary school and their GCSEs than the average student in England. This "added value" is a hallmark of the school's teaching methodology.

In the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 18.5% of students achieved a grade 5 or above across the core subjects. While the school focuses heavily on these traditional academic pillars, it also maintains a strong pass rate in vocational subjects, ensuring a balanced results profile.

Teaching at Acklam Grange is characterized by a high degree of consistency. Teachers utilize a shared pedagogical approach that emphasizes clear explanations and frequent retrieval practice, ensuring that knowledge is embedded over time. The curriculum is ambitious, particularly in core subjects like Mathematics and English, where students are set by ability to ensure the pace of learning is appropriate for every child.

The school has made significant investments in digital learning, with many departments using online platforms to supplement classroom instruction and manage independent study. This modern approach is balanced by a strong focus on literacy; the school runs several reading initiatives to ensure that students across all year groups develop the vocabulary necessary to access the full curriculum.

Securing a place at Acklam Grange is becoming increasingly competitive. Although it is a large school with a capacity of 1,470, it is consistently oversubscribed. For the September 2025 intake, 164 applicants were placed on the waiting list. The furthest distance offered for the Year 7 intake in 2025 was 1.231 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Admissions are coordinated by Middlesbrough Council. The school does not have a formal entrance exam and operates as a non selective comprehensive. Priority is given to looked after children, those with siblings already at the school, and those living within the designated catchment area. Parents should check their precise distance from the school gates compared to previous intake patterns using local authority maps.

Pastoral care is organized through a Year Group system, with each cohort overseen by a Head of Year and a team of tutors. This structure provides students with a consistent point of contact throughout their five years at the school. The school has a dedicated wellbeing hub, providing a space for students who may need additional emotional support or a quieter environment during social times.

The latest Ofsted inspection in October 2022 confirmed the school remains Good, with inspectors specifically praising the "exceptional" pastoral care and "impressive" student behavior. Bullying is noted as rare and not tolerated. Behavior is managed through a clear, tiered system that rewards positive contributions while maintaining firm boundaries.

The extracurricular life at Acklam Grange is extensive, with a particular emphasis on developing leadership through the Student Council and various ambassador roles. The school offers a range of clubs that go beyond the standard sports offerings, including a popular Coding Club and a vibrant Drama Society that stages an annual production.

STEM Excellence

STEM is a major pillar of the extracurricular programme. The school participates in regional robotics competitions and has established links with local industry partners in the Tees Valley to provide students with insight into engineering and chemical industries. Specialized facilities for Design and Technology allow students to work with industry standard materials, bridging the gap between classroom theory and practical application.

The sports provision is equally strong, with access to high quality pitches and an indoor sports hall. Acklam Grange has a history of success in Middlesbrough schools' competitions, particularly in football and athletics.

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:00pm, with many extracurricular clubs extending until 4:00pm. For students traveling from further afield, there are several local bus routes that serve the Acklam area, and the school provides secure cycle storage for those who choose to bike.

Wraparound care details for secondary students are focused on after school enrichment and supervised library sessions, which provide a safe space for students to complete homework before heading home.

Fees & Financial Aid

Acklam Grange is a state funded academy; there are no tuition fees. All core educational provision is free. Families may be required to contribute toward the cost of elective school trips, specialized uniform items, or individual music tuition. Financial assistance is typically available for families eligible for Pupil Premium to help cover these additional costs.

• Large School Environment: With nearly 1,500 students, the school is busy and can feel loud during transition times. While the pastoral system is strong, students who find very large environments overwhelming may take longer to adjust.
• High Demand for Places: The school is significantly oversubscribed. Families living on the outer edges of the traditional catchment area may find it difficult to secure a place without a sibling connection.
• Focus on the "AGS Way": The school has very strict expectations regarding uniform and behavior. This structured approach suits most students and contributes to the strong results, but families who prefer a more relaxed or individualistic environment may find the rules quite rigid.

Acklam Grange School is a high performing comprehensive that succeeds by doing the fundamentals exceptionally well. It offers a structured, safe, and academically ambitious environment that consistently helps students outperform national progress averages. Best suited to students who thrive in a busy, well ordered community and families who value a traditional approach to discipline and academic standards.