UTC South Durham, based in Newton Aycliffe, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 14 to 19. The school is a university technical college 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. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.

UTC South Durham currently has around 450 pupils on roll, which is about 75% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 78.4% boys and 21.6% girls. Around 32.7% 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 9.5%. Persistent absence is recorded at 32.6%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (92.2%).

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.

School Information

Address: Long Tens Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6AP
Website: www.utcsouthdurham.org
Telephone: 01325430250
School Type: University technical college
Education phase: Secondary
Local authority: County Durham
Headteacher / Principal: Mr Tom Dower
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Unique reference: 142894

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Overall effectiveness
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 05/03/2024

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 14 - 19
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 600
Number of Pupils: 450
Number of Boys: 353
Number of Girls: 97

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 9.5% 4%
Persistent absence: 32.6% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British92.20%415
Other White2.90%13
African1.10%5
Pakistani0.90%4
Other Mixed0.70%3
White and Asian0.40%2
Unclassified0.40%2
White and Black Caribbean0.40%2
Bangladeshi0.20%1
Other Asian0.20%1
Other (any other ethnic group)0.20%1
Indian0.20%1
White and Black African0.00%0
Irish0.00%0
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Chinese0.00%0
Caribbean0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Other Black0.00%0

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8: Well below average (-1.20)
Of the 143 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in this school, 141 are included in this measure.
Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
-1.20
Town average
-0.67
Local authority average
-0.32
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
0%
Town average
24%
Local authority average
25%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
22%
Town average
30%
Local authority average
38%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
33.7
Town average
40.1
Local authority average
44.6
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
2.5
Town average
3.3
Local authority average
3.7
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School

Nearby Schools

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Aycliffe Village Primary and Nursery School
North Terrace , Aycliffe Village DL5 6LG
- not rated 1,212 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Aycliffe Village Primary and Nursery School
North Terrace , Aycliffe Village DL5 6LG
3out of 4 1,212 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Elmfield Primary School
Rowan Place , DL5 7BB
- not rated 2,620 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Sugar Hill Primary School
Sheraton Road , DL5 5NU
- not rated 2,713 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Stephenson Way Primary School
Stephenson Way , DL5 7DD
- not rated 2,915 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
UTC South Durham
Long Tens Way , Aycliffe Business Park DL5 6AP
3out of 4 0 yd University technical college No Mixed More About School
The Avenue Comprehensive School
Central Avenue , DL5 5QQ
- not rated 2,982 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Forest Park School
Durham Way South , Newton Aycliffe Business Park DL5 6XP
- not rated 957 yd Other independent special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.