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.

County Durham has 30 secondary schools, of which 4 (13%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 21 rated Good — 83% of secondary schools in County Durham are rated Good or Outstanding overall. The Academy at Shotton Hall currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in County Durham follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

30
Total schools
4
Outstanding
13%
Outstanding rate
62.1%
Avg KS2 SATs
39.1
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 The Academy at Shotton Hall
Secondary
 Outstanding 75 View school
🥈 Sedgefield Community College
Secondary
 Outstanding 74 View school
🥉 Teesdale School and Sixth Form
Secondary
 Outstanding 72 View school
4. Belmont Community School
Secondary
 Good 69 View school
5. Whitworth Park Academy
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
6. Hermitage Academy
Secondary
 Good 64 View school
7. Woodham Academy
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
8. Parkside Academy
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
9. Wellfield School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
10. St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
11. Seaham High School
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
12. Staindrop Academy
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
13. St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham
Secondary
 Good 59 View school
14. Tanfield School
Secondary
 Inadequate 59 View school
15. Wolsingham School
Secondary
 Good 58 View school
16. St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College
Secondary
 Good 58 View school
17. Consett Academy
Secondary
 Good 58 View school
18. King James I Academy Bishop Auckland
Secondary
 Good 57 View school
19. Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
Secondary
 Outstanding 56 View school
20. Ferryhill School
Secondary
 Good 54 View school

Related lists for County Durham

All schools in County DurhamPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in County DurhamReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in County Durham4 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in County Durham

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

Search schools in County Durham

Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in County Durham?
There are 30 secondary schools in County Durham, of which 4 (13%) 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 The Academy at Shotton Hall. 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?
13% of secondary schools in County Durham are rated Outstanding and 70% 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.