The Rydal Academy

Primary
Academy
Ages 2 to 11

Ofsted: Good

Rydal Road, Darlington, DL1 4BHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Rydal Academy is a primary school in Darlington for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 47 schools in Darlington. It ranks 26th of 29 primary schools in Darlington. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in December 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 6 December 2022, report published 31 January 2023

Overall effectiveness: Good
Quality of education: Good
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Early years provision: Good
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

82 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths46%

46%, 16 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths4%

4%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score103

103, 3 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

584 pupils on roll, with places for 630

Eligible for free school meals47.9%

47.9%, 21.4 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language11.6%

11.6%, 10 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support21.2%

21.2%, 6.4 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.1%

4.1%, 1.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Rydal Academy

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
St John's Church of England Academy	0.3 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	70% met the expected standard
St Teresa's Catholic Primary School	0.5 miles	Ofsted: Good	85% met the expected standard
Skerne Park Academy	0.6 miles	Ofsted: Requires improvement	35% met the expected standard
Firthmoor Primary School	0.7 miles	Report card: Expected standard	62% met the expected standard
Heathfield Primary School	0.8 miles	Ofsted: Good	68% met the expected standard

School details

School type: Academy sponsor led
Sector: Academy
Trust: NORTHERN ARCH LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Age range: 2 to 11
Gender: Mixed
Nursery classes: Yes
Headteacher: Mr John Armitage
Phone: 01325380784
Website: rydal.nalp.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Rydal Road, Darlington, DL1 4BH
Local authority: Darlington
URN: 138989

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.