Discovery Special Academy is a not applicable school in Middlesbrough, serving pupils aged 2 to 16. The school is a free schools special and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.
Discovery Special Academy currently has around 171 pupils on roll, which is about 94% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 63.2% boys and 36.8% girls. Around 66.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 7.4%. Persistent absence is recorded at 24.8%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (69.6%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
| Address: | Sandy Flatts Lane, Middlesbrough, TS5 7YN |
| Website: | https://www.discoveryspecialacademy.org.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01642248333 |
| School Type: | Free schools special |
| Education phase: | Not applicable |
| Local authority: | Middlesbrough |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Miss Jennifer Duncan |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 145877 |
Ofsted inspection date: 18/01/2023
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 2 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 181 |
| Number of Pupils: | 171 |
| Number of Boys: | 108 |
| Number of Girls: | 63 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 7.4% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 24.8% | 8.2% |
| White British | 69.60% | 119 |
| Other Mixed | 5.80% | 10 |
| Other Asian | 4.70% | 8 |
| White and Asian | 4.10% | 7 |
| Pakistani | 3.50% | 6 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 2.30% | 4 |
| Unclassified | 2.30% | 4 |
| Other White | 2.30% | 4 |
| African | 1.80% | 3 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 1.20% | 2 |
| White and Black African | 0.60% | 1 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.60% | 1 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.60% | 1 |
| Other Black | 0.60% | 1 |
| Irish | 0.00% | 0 |
| Chinese | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Indian | 0.00% | 0 |
Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyside Primary School Manor Farm Way , Coulby Newham TS8 0RJ | - not rated | 1,139 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Sunnyside Academy Manor Farm Way , Coulby Newham TS8 0RJ | 3out of 4 | 1,139 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Viewley Hill Junior School Andover Way , Hemlington TS8 9HL | - not rated | 1,288 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Viewley Hill Infant School Andover Way , Hemlington TS8 9HL | - not rated | 1,288 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Viewley Hill Primary School Andover Way , Hemlington TS8 9HL | - not rated | 1,288 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St David's Roman Catholic Technology College St David's Way , Acklam TS5 7EY | - not rated | 1,187 yd | Voluntary aided school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Outwood Academy Acklam Hall Drive , Acklam TS5 7JY | - not rated | 1,231 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Hustler School Hall Drive , Acklam TS5 7JY | - not rated | 1,231 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Oakfields Community College Hall Drive , Acklam TS5 7JY | - not rated | 1,231 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| King's Manor School Hall Drive , Acklam TS5 7JY | - not rated | 1,231 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's College, Middlesbrough Saltersgill Avenue , TS4 3JP | - not rated | 1,402 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Acklam Sixth Form College Hall Drive , Acklam TS5 7DY | - not rated | 1,599 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Teesside Tertiary College Marton Road , TS4 3RZ | - not rated | 2,245 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Marton Sixth Form College Marton Road , TS4 3RZ | - not rated | 2,245 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Northern School of Art Newport Road , TS1 1LA | - not rated | 2,298 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Special Academy Sandy Flatts Lane , TS5 7YN | 3out of 4 | 0 yd | Free schools special | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Holmwood School Saltersgill Avenue , Easterside TS4 3PT | - not rated | 1,405 yd | Community special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Sunningdale School Saltersgill Avenue , TS4 3PT | - not rated | 1,405 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Beverley School Saltersgill Avenue , TS4 3JS | 3out of 4 | 1,645 yd | Community special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Hollis Academy Saltersgill Avenue , TS4 3JS | 3out of 4 | 1,790 yd | Academy special sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.