King James I Academy Bishop Auckland
97%
Capacity
926
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About King James I Academy Bishop Auckland
King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the County Durham community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 926 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (97% of 956 places).
Ofsted has rated King James I Academy Bishop Auckland "Good", the school is led by headteacher Simon Whitehead, it falls under County Durham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.21 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 41.6. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 2039th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 20th out of 31 in County Durham.
King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is a popular choice with families — it received 492 applications for 176 places, making it 2.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 203 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at King James I Academy Bishop Auckland include Dining Hall, Theatre, Sixth Form Centre, Playing Fields, Library, Science Labs, Sports Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Netball, Gymnastics, Dance and 3 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Gardening, Drama, Book Club and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 50.9%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in County Durham, King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is one of the options available in the North East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7JZ |
| Headteacher | Simon Whitehead |
| Local Authority | County Durham |
| Number of Pupils | 926 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 50.9% |
| School Capacity | 926 / 956 (97% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 Feb 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (17 Feb 2022): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 2 May 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.21)
2039th of 3,141
Nationally
73rd of 142
In North East
20th of 31
In County Durham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
32.7
'22/23
30.0
'23/24
34.6
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed176
492
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
203 families put this school as their 1st choice (41% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About King James I Academy Bishop Auckland
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
South Church Road, Bishop Auckland
County Durham, DL14 7JZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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