The Rydal Academy
Contact details for the school

School Name: The Rydal Academy
Address: Rydal Road
Town/City: Darlington
County: County Durham
Postcode: DL1 4BH
Telephone Number: 01325 380784
Website:

Type of school

Phase: Primary (ages 2-11)
Type: Academy sponsor led
Religious Denomination: None
Admissions Policy: Non-selective
Established: 2012
Trust: Northern Arch Learning Partnership
Sponsor: Swift Academies

Staff and pupils

Headteacher: Mr John Armitage
Capacity: 630
Gender: Mixed

The following details are from a census on 15 January 2026:
Number of pupils: 584 (53% boys & 47% girls)
Enrollment: 93% of capacity
Free school meal eligibility: 51.6%

Location and administration

URN: 138989
DfE Number: 841/2005
UKPRN: 10039567
UPRN: 10013313390
Region: North East (E12000001)
District: Darlington (E06000005)
Constituency: Darlington (E14001190)
Electoral Ward: Bank Top & Lascelles (E05010412)

Easting & Northing: 429907E, 513751N
Latitude & Longitude: 54° 31' 7.74" N 1° 32' 21.72" W
Plus Code: 9C6WGF96+G7

External links

DfE Record: View record

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Nearby schools
  1. St John's Church of England Academy (0.5km)
  2. St Teresa's Catholic Primary School (0.9km)
  3. St Aidan's Church of England Academy (1.0km)
  4. Borough Road Nursery School (1.0km)
  5. Skerne Park Academy (1.0km)
  6. Firthmoor Primary School (1.1km)
  7. Heathfield Primary School (1.2km)
  8. Darlington College (1.3km)
  9. Polam Hall School (1.4km)
  10. St Augustine's Catholic Primary School (1.5km)
Associated schools

Same trust

Same sponsor Predecessor school†

† Establishments now closed from which this school arose, or with which it has merged.
Governors

  • Mr John Armitage - Local Governor. Appointed on 1 March 2018 (Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal).
  • Gaurav Bhatia - Local Governor. Appointed on 15 February 2022 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 14 February 2026.
  • Melanie Chapman - Local Governor. Appointed on 1 January 2021 (Elected by school staff). Term runs until 31 December 2025.
  • Ms Melanie Chapman - Local Governor. Appointed on 15 January 2026 (Elected by school staff). Term runs until 14 January 2030.
  • Mr Eddy Gnaglo - Local Governor. Appointed on 3 March 2025 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 2 March 2029.
  • Mr Mark Gray - Chair of Local Governing Body. Appointed on 1 March 2026 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 28 February 2030.
  • Mr Mark Gray - Chair of Local Governing Body. Appointed on 11 June 2019 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 28 February 2026.
  • Joanne Keane - Local Governor. Appointed on 3 March 2025 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 2 March 2029.
  • Mr Olanrewaju Oyekunle - Local Governor. Appointed on 1 July 2026 (Elected by parents). Term runs until 30 June 2030.
  • Miss Joanna Reed - Local Governor. Appointed on 22 May 2025 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 21 May 2029.
  • Jo Thurland - Local Governor. Appointed on 7 November 2022 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 6 November 2026.
  • Mrs Katherine Turnbull - Local Governor. Appointed on 1 March 2026 (Elected by school staff). Term runs until 28 February 2030.
  • Mrs Katherine Turnbull - Local Governor. Appointed on 1 March 2018 (Elected by school staff). Term runs until 28 February 2026.
  • Troy Turner - Local Governor. Appointed on 3 October 2024 (Elected by parents). Term runs until 2 October 2028.
  • Miss Tracy Vaughan - Local Governor. Appointed on 19 June 2023 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 26 October 2025.