Best Secondary Schools in Darlington 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 7 schools across Darlington. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Darlington has 7 secondary schools, of which 1 (14%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 6 rated Good — 100% of secondary schools in Darlington are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Hurworth School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Darlington follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

7
Total schools
1
Outstanding
14%
Outstanding rate
64.3%
Avg KS2 SATs
34.9
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Hurworth School
Secondary
 Good 64 View school
🥈 Hummersknott Academy
Secondary
 Good 62 View school
🥉 Carmel College
Secondary
 Outstanding 54 View school
4. St Aidan's Church of England Academy
Secondary
 Good 52 View school
5. Haughton Academy
Secondary
 Good 50 View school
6. Wyvern Academy
Secondary
 Good 50 View school
7. Longfield Academy
Secondary
 Good 41 View school

Related lists for Darlington

All schools in DarlingtonPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in DarlingtonReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Darlington1 school rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Darlington

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Darlington?
There are 7 secondary schools in Darlington, of which 1 (14%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Darlington?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Darlington is Hurworth School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Darlington?
Primary and secondary school applications in Darlington are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Darlington council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Darlington?
14% of secondary schools in Darlington are rated Outstanding and 86% are rated Good. 84.8% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.