Hummersknott Academy
Edinburgh Drive, Darlington, DL3 8AROpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Hummersknott Academy is a secondary school in Darlington for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 47 schools in Darlington. It ranks 2nd of 9 secondary schools in Darlington. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in February 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 3 February 2026, report published 26 April 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Strong standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Strong standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 3 February 2026
Hummersknott Academy is a friendly, happy place. Pupils are safe and they feel safe. They enjoy learning and they are proud of their school. There are warm, positive relationships between pupils and staff. Pupils recognise and appreciate the improvements that leaders have made in recent years. Pupils live out the school’s values of 'responsibility, respect and care'. They behave towards others with respect and kindness. The school is calm and purposeful. Bullying happens rarely. If it does, pupils know that it will be dealt with quickly and effectively. Pupils attend well, and this reflects their clear sense of belonging at the school. Pupils enjoy the structured way that teachers deliver lessons. Established routines mean that pupils generally learn well. Teachers adapt learning to meet the needs of pupils who face barriers to their learning, including pupils who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Pupils who have gaps in their basic knowledge receive appropriate support, which helps them to access and learn the curriculum. Pupils’ achievement in national tests and examinations has improved in recent years, and they are well prepared for their next steps. Pupils benefit from a wide range of broader extra-curricular experiences at the school. Many pupils hold leadership roles where they have a genuine influence in the way that the school is run. They also lead several fundraising events, developing the confidence, responsibility and social awareness needed to contribute positively to modern British society. There is an extensive offer of clubs and activities. These include several sports and music clubs. Additionally, the school has provided clubs in response to pupils' interests and requests. These include gardening, baking, politics and card games clubs. Pupils appreciate the way that staff go the extra mile to run clubs for them, and most pupils take advantage of these opportunities.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure that the school’s approach to the implementation of the curriculum is embedded consistently and effectively across the school.
- Leaders should ensure that strategies to monitor priority areas for improvement are sharply focused upon impact and that this is reflected in further improvements in pupils’ experiences and achievement.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
241 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,215 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200
Schools near Hummersknott Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel College | 0.4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 53.5 |
| Wyvern Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 37.7 |
| Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Polam Hall School | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 44.6 |
| Longfield Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 42.8 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- ADVANCE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Grant Sowerby
- Phone
- 01325241191
- Address
- Edinburgh Drive, Darlington, DL3 8AR
- Local authority
- Darlington
- URN
- 136838
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.