Classpot

Hummersknott Academy

Darlington, DL3 8ARSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Apr 2026
Progress 8
-0.48
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.8×
Not oversubscribed
211 1st-choice / 248 places
Ranking
#2,584
of 3,141 nationally

About Hummersknott Academy

Hummersknott Academy is a mixed secondary school in Darlington that is currently oversubscribed, a clear signal of its local standing. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 445 applications for 248 places, with 211 of those coming as first preferences, of which 204 were offered. The school is operating slightly above its official capacity of 1,200, with 1,230 pupils on roll. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 22.8%, which is notably higher than the national average for secondary schools, suggesting the school serves a community with above-average levels of economic disadvantage. The school does not have a sixth form, so pupils leave at 16, and it has no religious character. Headteacher Grant Sowerby leads a school that, in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2021, was rated Good across all categories, a significant improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2017.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressEdinburgh Drive, Darlington, Darlington, DL3 8AR
HeadteacherGrant Sowerby
Local AuthorityDarlington
Number of Pupils1,230
Free School Meals (FSM)22.8%
School Capacity1,230 / 1,200 (102% full)

The full report on this school

What 36 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

28 Sept 2021
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 10 Nov 2021. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

13
Astro TurfSports HallPlaying FieldsLibraryTheatreDining HallMusic RoomsScience LabsGymnasiumSwimming PoolArt StudiosICT SuiteChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

14

Sports

TennisBadmintonSwimmingCricketRugbyRowingAthleticsBasketball

Clubs & Activities

Model United NationsChoirScience ClubBook ClubCodingOrchestra

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:30 – 15:00

Source: hummersknott.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hummersknott Academy

Hummersknott Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.