Darwin School

Darwin School is a highly inclusive independent school where all pupils have education, health and care plans. Safeguarding standards are met, and all independent school standards are met. Inspectors found strong practice in inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. Pupils feel safe, known and well supported, behaviour is excellent, attendance is improving rapidly, and pastoral care, enrichment and careers education are notable strengths. Achievement, attendance and behaviour, and curriculum and teaching are judged at the expected standard. Pupils make secure progress across the curriculum, with rapid improvement in reading and mathematics and noteworthy progress for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils. Teaching is thoughtful, checks for misconceptions, and supports pupils to keep up and catch up. The school is described as life-changing for many pupils, with high care aligned to high aspirations. The main next steps are to keep improving the curriculum and expand the range of qualifications available after key stage 4, and to further enhance staff expertise through ongoing tailored professional development as the cohort's needs change. Overall, this is a strong, caring and inclusive school with secure educational provision and no serious weaknesses identified.

Strengths

• Highly inclusive provision for pupils with SEND and EHC plans
• Staff know pupils' needs well and remove barriers to learning and wellbeing
• High expectations are maintained for all pupils
• Strong leadership with clear moral purpose and well-defined accountability
• Statutory duties and independent school standards are firmly embedded
• High-quality professional learning and support for staff
• Personal development and wellbeing are high priorities
• Strong, responsive pastoral care and specialist support
• Extensive enrichment, trips, clubs and community opportunities
• Thoughtful careers education with unbiased advice and employer links
• Pupils' reading and mathematics knowledge improve rapidly
• Pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils make noteworthy progress
• Behaviour is excellent and lessons are calm and free from distraction
• Attendance improves rapidly and pupils are keen to attend
• Broad and balanced curriculum with effective teaching and checking of misconceptions

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum should continue to improve, including expanding the range of qualifications available after key stage 4
• Staff expertise should be further enhanced through ongoing tailored professional development as pupils' needs change

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Thirsk · North Yorkshire local authority: places and applications

What is Darwin School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Darwin School is Expected standard, from an inspection in September 2026.

When was Darwin School last inspected by Ofsted?

Darwin School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does Darwin School have?

Darwin School has 9 pupils on roll.

What age range does Darwin School cover?

Darwin School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is Darwin School?

Darwin School is at Baldersby St James, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4PT.