Polam Hall School
95%
Capacity
841
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About Polam Hall School
Polam Hall School is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Darlington community, welcoming children from age 4 to 16. The school has 841 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (95% of 882 places).
Ofsted has rated Polam Hall School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Kate Reid, it falls under Darlington local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.05 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 42.0. Additionally, ranked 1634th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 7 in Darlington.
Polam Hall School is a popular choice with families — it received 305 applications for 108 places, making it 2.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 115 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Polam Hall School include Swimming Pool, Art Studios, Playing Fields, Gymnasium, Astro Turf, Sixth Form Centre, Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Music Rooms, Theatre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Martial Arts, Rounders, Basketball, Hockey and 6 more, as well as clubs including Newspaper, Debate, Film Club, Chess and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 29.6%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Darlington, Polam Hall School 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 | 4 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Grange Road, Darlington, Darlington, DL1 5PA |
| Headteacher | Kate Reid |
| Local Authority | Darlington |
| Number of Pupils | 841 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 29.6% |
| School Capacity | 841 / 882 (95% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Oct 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 15 Nov 2021. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.05)
1634th of 3,141
Nationally
51st of 142
In North East
3rd of 7
In Darlington
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed108
305
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
115 families put this school as their 1st choice (38% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Polam Hall School
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
Grange Road, Darlington
Darlington, DL1 5PA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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