Tanfield School
Tanfield Lea Road, Stanley, DH9 8AYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Tanfield School is a secondary school in Stanley for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 271 schools in County Durham. It ranks 2nd of 30 secondary schools in County Durham. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in September 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 September 2024, report published 24 November 2024
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 September 2024
There is a strong sense of community at Tanfield School. Pupils and staff talk proudly of being part of 'Team Tanfield'. The school's values of hard work, trust and fairness are understood by pupils and lived out every day. There are extremely high expectations of pupils. Staff share an unwavering determination to ensure that every pupil achieves their full potential. Pupils experience great success. Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, achieve very well in public examinations. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They are taught to 'play by the rules' and they do. They are polite, courteous and welcoming to visitors. Pupils conduct themselves with impressive levels of maturity and self-control in lessons and around school. As a result, lessons are highly productive and free from distractions. Pupils are very happy at the school. They are confident that the school will respond quickly if they have any concerns. The school offers pupils an exceptional programme to support their personal development. The opportunities that the school provide inspires pupils to learn more, take risks, be resilient and explore the world. Pupils are proud of the many ways they support their school and local community. The school is highly inclusive. Diversity is celebrated.
What the school should improve
- There are some inconsistencies in the way the curriculum is implemented. This means that on occasion, in lessons, pupils do not get the opportunity to embed, apply and deepen their learning. The school should further develop the ways pupils discuss new concepts deeply to support their learning and ensure that teachers consistently identify and address any misconceptions that pupils have.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
90 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
739 pupils on roll, with places for 690
Schools near Tanfield School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Durham Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 39.8 |
| St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester | 4 miles | Report card: Expected standard | Attainment 8: 44.9 |
| Whickham School | 4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 53.0 |
| Hermitage Academy | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 49.1 |
| Emmanuel College | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 60.1 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- EDEN LEARNING TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Steven Clough
- Phone
- 01207232881
- Address
- Tanfield Lea Road, Stanley, DH9 8AY
- Local authority
- County Durham
- URN
- 147894
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.