St Aidan's Church of England Academy
85%
Capacity
594
Pupils
1.5x
Demand
About St Aidan's Church of England Academy
St Aidan's Church of England Academy is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Darlington community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 594 pupils on roll and is well-filled (85% of 700 places).
Ofsted has rated St Aidan's Church of England Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Nikki Gibb, it falls under Darlington local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.96 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 35.5. Additionally, ranked 3001st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 7th out of 7 in Darlington.
St Aidan's Church of England Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 169 applications for 116 places, making it 1.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 109 were first-preference applications.
St Aidan's Church of England Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is mixed, with 67% recommending the school (33 responses).
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 St Aidan's Church of England Academy include Theatre, Astro Turf, Art Studios, Sports Hall, Swimming Pool, Dining Hall, Science Labs, Music Rooms, Gymnasium, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Martial Arts, Netball, Tennis, Cross Country and 6 more, as well as clubs including Model UN, Chess, Science Club, Art Club and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 43.9%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Darlington, St Aidan's Church of England Academy 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 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Hundens Lane, Darlington, Darlington, DL1 1LL |
| Headteacher | Nikki Gibb |
| Local Authority | Darlington |
| Number of Pupils | 594 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 43.9% |
| School Capacity | 594 / 700 (85% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Jun 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (11 Jun 2025): Some aspects not as strong
Source: Ofsted, 31 Jan 2020. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.96)
3001st of 3,141
Nationally
127th of 142
In North East
7th of 7
In Darlington
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly 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.
Ofsted Parent View
33 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
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
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed116
169
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
109 families put this school as their 1st choice (64% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Aidan's Church of England Academy
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
Hundens Lane, Darlington
Darlington, DL1 1LL
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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