The Rydal Academy
Primary · Academy sponsor led · Ages 2–11 · Darlington
The Rydal Academy is a primary school in Darlington for ages 2–11 (academy sponsor led). Its latest Ofsted outcome is Good, from the inspection on 6 December 2022. Darlington has published a last distance offered for this school for Reception 2023 to 2026 entry.
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Key facts
- Address
- Rydal Road, Darlington, DL1 4BH
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase
- Primary
- Ages
- 2–11
- Sector
- See recorded establishment type
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Council
- Darlington
- Pupils on roll
- 584 January 2026 school census
- Free school meals
- 47.9% of pupils eligible
- Pupils per teacher
- 18.5
Official record: Get Information about Schools · as at 15 September 2026
Ofsted
Good Inspected 6 December 2022
Strengths
- “All staff aim to make Rydal Academy a haven for all who attend.”
- “There are high expectations for what pupils can achieve.”
- “Leaders do everything they can to protect, guide and support the pupils in their care.”
To improve
- “Occasionally, there is some variability in teachers’ implementation of the schemes of work.”
- “When this happens, pupils’ knowledge is less certain.”
- “Leaders know there is more to do to make sure that schemes of work are embedded fully.”
Safeguarding: Effective
Quoted from the Ofsted report published 31 January 2023 (read the report). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Exam results
| Measure | School | England |
|---|---|---|
| Key stage 2 · reading, writing and maths, expected standard (2024/25) | 46% | 62% |
Department for Education school performance data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Applications and offers
- 2026 Reception entry: 58 first-preference applications, 66 offers in total, 58 offers to first-preference applicants.
Department for Education, school-level applications and offers, figures on national offer day. Earlier years are in the pass.
Last distance offered and catchment
A one-off £9.99 pass, no subscription, unlocks for 3 months:
- Last distance offered for Reception 2023 to 2026, as Darlington published it, drawn on the map
- Earlier years of applications and offers
- Earlier years of exam results
- Which schools pupils move on to or come from
- Crime, sold prices, broadband and transport around the school
A last distance offered describes one past year and is not a catchment or a promise of a place. Check with the council before you apply.
Nearby primary schools
Straight-line distance, in Darlington.
- St John's Church of England Academy 0.3 mi Outstanding Last distance published
- St Teresa's Catholic Primary School 0.5 mi School remains Good Last distance published
- Skerne Park Academy 0.6 mi Requires improvement Last distance published
- Firthmoor Primary School 0.7 mi No Ofsted grade Last distance published
- Heathfield Primary School 0.8 mi Standards maintained Last distance published
- St Augustine's Catholic Primary School 1.0 mi Good Last distance published
- Corporation Road Community Primary School 1.2 mi Good Last distance published
- Gurney Pease Academy 1.2 mi No Ofsted grade Last distance published