Tanfield School
102%
Capacity
702
Pupils
2.7x
Demand
About Tanfield School
If you're a parent in County Durham looking for a secondary school, the experience of other families at Tanfield School is a strong signal. In the most recent Parent View survey, covering the period from September 2024 to September 2025, a remarkable 94% of the 69 respondents said they would recommend the school. The feedback on specific areas is equally striking: 88% of parents strongly agreed that the school has high expectations for their child, and 97% either agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy. Behaviour and safety also score exceptionally well, with 97% of parents agreeing their child feels safe and a combined 97% agreeing that the school ensures pupils are well behaved. This positive reputation is reflected in demand for places. For the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 405 applications for 149 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.72, with 143 of those places going to first-preference applicants.
Academically, Tanfield School is performing at a level that places it firmly among the best in the region. Its Progress 8 score of 0.83 is rated as 'well above average' and is the highest in County Durham, ranking first out of 31 schools in the local authority. To put that in context, the average Progress 8 score for secondary schools across County Durham is -0.21, meaning Tanfield's students are making significantly more progress than their peers elsewhere in the area. The Attainment 8 score sits at 50.9, and 70.5% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The school also has a strong focus on the English Baccalaureate, with 43.2% of pupils entering the EBacc and 36% achieving it at a grade 5 or above. This academic strength is backed by Ofsted, which in its September 2024 inspection judged the school as Good overall, with Outstanding ratings for both behaviour and attitudes and personal development.
Tanfield School is a mixed, non-denominational secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with no sixth form. It currently has 702 pupils on roll, slightly above its stated capacity of 690. The school supports a wide range of SEND needs, including provision for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. 23% of parents who responded to the survey said their child receives SEND support, and 87% of those agreed that the school gives them the help they need. Facilities are notably strong for a state school, including a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, and music rooms. A broad range of extracurricular activities is available, from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award to gardening club and orchestra. Given its high oversubscription and strong academic outcomes, this is a school that suits families looking for a high-performing, well-regarded local option, but early application is essential.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Tanfield Lea Road, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 8AY |
| Headteacher | Steven Clough |
| Local Authority | County Durham |
| Number of Pupils | 702 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 32.2% |
| School Capacity | 702 / 690 (102% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Sept 2024Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Source: Ofsted, 24 Nov 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.83)
173rd of 3,141
Nationally
4th of 142
In North East
1st of 31
In County Durham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more 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.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2319%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 118 pupils).
- FE college58%
- School sixth form (stay)19%
- Employment8%
- Not sustained8%
- Apprenticeship5%
92% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
Ofsted Parent View
69 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
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed149
405
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
185 families put this school as their 1st choice (46% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British94.9%
- White (other)1.6%
- Mixed0.7%
- Asian0.5%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
8
Total schools
7
Oversubscribed
5
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tanfield 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
Tanfield Lea Road, Stanley
County Durham, DH9 8AY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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