The Hermitage Academy

Hermitage Academy (formerly The Hermitage School and The Hermitage Academy) is a mixed secondary school and sixth form located in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, England. It is currently sponsored by North East Learning Trust (NELT), a multi-academy trust with partner & sponsor schools across North East England, including Academy at Shotton Hall and Teesdale School. Prior to 2019, the school was sponsored by The Hermitage Academy Trust, a single academy trust. Before the school was taken over by NELT, Miss Felicity Smith was appointed as principal, appointed in November 2015 after the resignation of Mr Jim Murray. Previously a foundation school administered by Durham County Council, The Hermitage School converted to academy status in April 2011 and was renamed The Hermitage Academy. However, the school continues to coordinate with Durham County Council for admissions. The Hermitage Academy offers GCSEs and BTECs as programmes of study for Key Stage 4 pupils, while students in the sixth form have the option to study from a range of A-levels, Cambridge Nationals and further BTECs.