Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth

About Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth

Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth’s headline Progress 8 score of -0.88 places it well below the Stockton-on-Tees local authority average of -0.11, a gap that makes it the lowest-ranked secondary in the area out of 14 schools. This means that, on average, pupils here achieve nearly nine-tenths of a grade less per subject than their peers across the borough, a significant difference that parents will want to weigh carefully. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 32.1 also sits below the typical LA benchmark, and its Progress 8 banding is officially classified as “well below average.” Nationally, it sits in the bottom 6% of schools, ranked 2,969th out of 3,141. While the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2025 did not issue a new overall effectiveness grade, it judged leadership and management, and quality of education, as “Requires improvement,” though behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, were both rated “Good.” This mixed picture suggests a school in transition, with some strengths but clear academic ground to make up.

Looking at the 2023/24 exam results in more detail, the picture is uneven. The basics measure for a grade 4 or above in English and maths stands at 43.8%, dropping to 25.7% when the threshold rises to a grade 5 or above. The EBacc average point score is 2.84, and only 21.9% of pupils entered the EBacc suite of subjects, with 16.2% achieving a grade 4 or above and 11.4% achieving a grade 5 or above. Broken down by subject area, Progress 8 in English is -0.41, in maths -0.84, and in the EBacc subjects -0.94, with the open element at -1.17. These figures indicate that the school’s weakest relative performance is in the open and EBacc slots, while English is the strongest area. Compared with its previous Ofsted inspection in 2019, when the school was rated “Good” overall, the current “Requires improvement” rating for key areas represents a notable step back. The school has no sixth form, so pupils leave after Year 11.

On the ground, Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth is a mixed 11-16 secondary with 602 pupils on roll, just above its capacity of 600. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26, receiving 133 applications for 101 places, with 89 first-preference offers made. The school serves a community with high levels of disadvantage: 49.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. Facilities include a swimming pool, sports hall, theatre, and playing fields, with clubs spanning drama, science, art, choir, film, and book club, plus sports such as hockey, cricket, netball, rowing, and dance. The school lists a broad range of SEND provisions, covering dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language needs, visual and multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. Parent View responses, based on 25 respondents, show that 56% would not recommend the school, and only 44% would. Concerns were most acute around how concerns are dealt with and SEND support, though 80% agreed or strongly agreed that their child can take part in clubs and activities. This school may suit families who value its wide extracurricular offer and inclusive SEND provision, but who are prepared for the academic challenges and the mixed feedback from current parents.

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