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Academy converter · Darlington

Carmel College

  • 11–18Ages
  • 1,367Pupils
  • SecondaryPhase
  • Roman CatholicReligious character
  • Sixth formAges 16–18
  • 137622URN

The Headlands, Darlington, DL3 8RW · School website

Applications per placeCircle size: applicationsThis school
Latest Ofsted

Graded inspection · Oct 2024 Previous framework

No overall grade given
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Leadership and management
What Ofsted found
Applications per place · Sept 2026
2.4per place
0.7 above Darlington median (1.7)
Fewer applicationsMore

This schoolOther secondary schools in Darlington

511 applications for 216 places · 2nd of 7 in Darlington
Every year since 2014
Attainment 8 · 2025/26 (provisional)
52.7of 90
1st of 8 in Darlington
All GCSE results

What did Ofsted find?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026
Graded inspection · 1 October 2024Ofsted's previous 4-point scale (to August 2024). Between September 2024 and November 2025 Ofsted graded areas but gave no overall grade.
AreaOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth form provisionOutstanding

Full reports on the Ofsted website · How to read Ofsted grades

About these grades

Ofsted's report cards (from November 2025) grade each area on five steps and give no overall grade. Earlier grades come from a different framework; Ofsted says the two cannot be compared, so they are never converted here. Ofsted: "We normally inspect schools every 4 years or at any time if we have concerns." Methodology.

How hard is it to get a place?

DfE · Sept 2026 entry
2.4applications per place, Year 7
0.7 above Darlington median (1.7) close to England median (2.2)

511 applications · 216 places offered · 305 named it first

FaithMay give priority to families of the faith.

  1. 2026 2.4; Darlington median median 1.7
  2. 2025 2.4; Darlington median median 1.8
  3. 2024 2.3; Darlington median median 1.9
  4. 2023 2.2; Darlington median median 1.5
  5. 2022 2.2; Darlington median median 1.5
  6. 2021 2.1; Darlington median median 1.5
  7. 2020 2.6; Darlington median median 1.5
  8. 2019 2.4; Darlington median median 1.5
  9. 2018 2.3; Darlington median median 1.7
  10. 2017 2.2; Darlington median median 2.0
  11. 2016 2.0; Darlington median median 2.0
  12. 2015 2.2; Darlington median median 2.1
  13. 2014 2.2; Darlington median median 2.1
More applications per place than the Darlington median in 12 of 13 years.
  • This school
  • Darlington median

Year 7 applications for September 2027 close 31 October 2026, through your council

How this is measured

Applications per place: every application naming the school at any preference, divided by places offered on National Offer Day. It is not your chance of a place. Methodology.

EntryPlacesApplicationsPer placeFirst preferencesFirst-pref. ratio
Sep 20262165112.43051.41
Sep 20252175282.42811.29
Sep 20242164902.32511.16
Sep 20231994322.22541.28
Sep 20221934272.22511.30
Sep 20212104492.12641.26
Sep 20202005222.62941.47
Sep 20192004852.42821.41
Sep 20181904322.32511.32
Sep 20171783922.22191.23
Sep 20161853652.02051.11
Sep 20151894132.22581.37
Sep 20141783822.22501.40

How did pupils do at GCSE?

DfE KS4 · 2025/26 provisional

215 pupils took GCSEs in 2025/26.

Attainment 8 (out of 90)52.71st of 8 in Darlington
Grade 5 or above in English and maths54%2nd of 8 in Darlington
Grade 4 or above in English and maths79%
  • This school
  • Darlington median
  • England median
Progress 8 (2023/24, the latest published)+0.38
−20 = national average+2
Every year as a table
YearPupilsAttainment 85+ Eng & maths4+ Eng & mathsProgress 8
2025/26 (prov.)21552.754%79%–
2024/2520853.560%81%–
2023/2421053.663%83%+0.38
2022/2321153.260%83%+0.34

Progress 8 is not published for 2024/25 or 2025/26: those pupils had no key stage 2 tests in 2020 and 2021.

Schools nearby

The 8 nearest secondary schools in a straight line, in any local authority

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
  • Does not apply

Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

School details

Type
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary
URN · DfE number
137622 · 841/4603
Trust
Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Capacity
1,382 pupils · 1,367 on roll
Free school meals
19.3% of pupils (England median 23%)
Opened
1 November 2011
Replaced
Carmel RC College (URN 114324)
Address
The Headlands, Darlington, DL3 8RW
Local authority
Darlington

Data last changed 19 October 2026 · Report an error · Corrections · Sources