Polam Hall School

  • All-through
  • Free school
  • Ages 4 to 16
Report card: Expected standard to strong standard

Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5PAOpen in maps

Polam Hall School is an all-through school in Darlington for ages 4 to 16. It is one of the 47 schools in Darlington. It ranks 6th of 9 secondary schools in Darlington. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in November 2025.

Ofsted report card

Inspected 25 November 2025, report published 18 January 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
Expected standard
Personal development and wellbeing
Strong standard
Leadership and governance
Expected standard
Early years
Expected standard
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

49 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths59%

59%, 3 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths6%

6%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

90 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score44.6

44.6, 1.5 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths37.8%

37.8%, 7.6 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths63.3%

63.3%, 1.5 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc33.3%

33.3%, 7.2 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.03

4.03, 0.06 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

842 pupils on roll, with places for 882

Eligible for free school meals31.2%

31.2%, 4.7 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language15.4%

15.4%, 6.2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support10.7%

10.7%, 4.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.4%

2.4%, 3.6 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Polam Hall School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College0.5 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Carmel College1 mileOfsted judgements: OutstandingAttainment 8: 53.5
St Aidan's Church of England Academy1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 40.0
Hummersknott Academy1 mileReport card: Expected standard to strong standardAttainment 8: 47.8
Wyvern Academy2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 37.7

School details

School type
Free schools
Sector
Free school
Trust
WOODARD ACADEMIES TRUST
Age range
4 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Principal Kate Reid
Phone
01325463383
Website
phs.woodard.co.uk
Address
Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5PA
Local authority
Darlington
URN
142174

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.