In the first year as Outwood Academy Bydales the number of students achieving 5+A*-C GCSE grades including English and maths rose to 73% some 12% higher that the previous historical best. As a result, it was named in the top three schools for attainment in Teesside for 2015, and first for progress made of students, being in the top 3% of similar schools. The school also had the highest 'Best 8 value-added' score for the Tees Valley in 2015. An article in the "Evening Gazette" in March 2015 reported the improvements made in the school. In January 2018 the school was rated as outstanding by Ofsted.