Hermitage Academy, Chester-le-Street

In their most recent Ofsted Inspection, occurring in October 2018, Hermitage Academy was deemed Inadequate by inspectors. Inspectors stated that teaching was far too variable between lessons, leaders have been too slow halting the decline in the quality of student's education, and that the school had weak progress from Year 7 to Year 11. However, it was also pointed out that students were polite and courteous around school, safeguarding was effective and situations of bullying were dealt with effectively. In response, the school was taken over by the North East Learning Trust, which is discussed in detail further down the page. A second inspection is expected within the next few academic years, to assess the Academy's progress. The previous inspection The Hermitage School received was in 2007, with inspectors deeming the school Outstanding. == Construction of the Year 7 Teaching Block ==

Completed June 2017, the Year 7 Block was a £1.3 million building provides 8 new classrooms labelled from 7–1 up to 7–8, toilets and an amenity space for new Year 7 students. The new building formed part of the Academy's on-going estate management and curriculum improvements and was designed for the youngest year group to ease their transition to the main school after moving from primary school. Included in all classrooms are spaces for 32 students, as well as slide across whiteboards & television screens as projectors. Two of the rooms are also separated with a folding partition wall, which can be folded to form one larger room. During the 2019 GCSEs, this block was used primarily for Year 11s. As of June 2019, this block is now used as a block for English, as Year 7 students revert to moving through the school for their lessons. == North East Learning Trust ==

It was announced on 10 June 2019 that as of the following academic year, the North East Learning Trust will be appointed to sponsor the school. The North East Learning Trust is a multi-academy Trust founded by Academy at Shotton Hall, an outstanding secondary school in Peterlee. ==References==