Best Secondary Schools in County Durham 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 30 schools across County Durham. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Total schools

Outstanding

20%

Outstanding rate

62.1%

Avg KS2 SATs

39.1

Avg GCSE A8

All schools Primary Secondary

Rank	School	Ofsted	SNM Score
🥇	Durham Johnston Comprehensive School Secondary	Outstanding	74	View school
🥈	The Academy at Shotton Hall Secondary	Outstanding	70	View school
🥉	Sedgefield Community College Secondary	Outstanding	68	View school
4.	Teesdale School and Sixth Form Secondary	Outstanding	68	View school
5.	St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester Secondary	Outstanding	65	View school
6.	St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham Secondary	Good	63	View school
7.	St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College Secondary	Good	58	View school
8.	Easington Academy Secondary	Good	57	View school
9.	Belmont Community School Secondary	Good	57	View school
10.	Parkside Academy Secondary	Outstanding	56	View school
11.	Woodham Academy Secondary	Good	55	View school
12.	Wolsingham School Secondary	Good	54	View school
13.	King James I Academy Bishop Auckland Secondary	Good	53	View school
14.	Park View School Secondary	Good	50	View school
15.	St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College Secondary	Good	50	View school
16.	Seaham High School Secondary	Good	49	View school
17.	Ferryhill School Secondary	Good	49	View school
18.	Tanfield School Secondary	Inadequate	45	View school
19.	Staindrop Academy Secondary	Requires Improvement	44	View school
20.	Consett Academy Secondary	Requires Improvement	44	View school

See full data for any school in County Durham

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in County Durham?

There are 30 secondary schools in County Durham, of which 6 (20%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

What are the best schools in County Durham?

Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in County Durham is Durham Johnston Comprehensive School. See the full ranked list above.

How do I apply for a school place in County Durham?

Primary and secondary school applications in County Durham are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the County Durham council website for application forms and deadlines.

What is the average Ofsted rating in County Durham?

20% of secondary schools in County Durham are rated Outstanding and 43% are rated Good. 80.8% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.