Best State Schools in Durham

Durham Johnston Comprehensive School is an outstanding secondary school in City of Durham, offering excellent education and preparation for students aged 11-18. With an exceptional leadership team and dedicated teachers, the school consistently achieves high academic standards and accelerated progress. The safe and happy school environment fosters both academic and personal growth. The school's outstanding sixth form provides further opportunities for students to excel. With a diverse student body and a commitment to inclusivity, Durham Johnston Comprehensive School offers a well-rounded education for all.

Consett Academy is a secondary school located in Durham, North East. With a focus on academic potential and personal development, the school aims to nurture remarkable, resilient, and self-assured young individuals. The dedicated staff and supportive parents work together to help students achieve their goals. The school offers a safe and inclusive learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. With good behavior and attitudes, the school promotes tolerance and responsibility. Although the overall effectiveness and leadership require improvement, the school's previous inspection grade was good. Consett Academy provides a sixth-form provision with a good track record. Exam results boast a 31% achievement of grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs and 7.4% achieving AAB or higher in A-levels. With a strong emphasis on student support, Consett Academy strives to inspire achievement in its exceptional educational community.

Park View School is a secondary school located in Durham, North East. With a student teacher ratio of 26:1, the school provides a co-ed learning environment for students aged 11-18. Offering a comprehensive education, Park View School focuses on academic achievement with 41% of students achieving Grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs. The school also has a good track record in personal development and sixth-form provision, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education. Although the school requires improvement in certain areas, it prioritizes the safety and well-being of its students and provides ample resources to support their learning journey.

St Leonard's Catholic School is a Roman Catholic secondary school located in the City of Durham. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school strives to ensure each student reaches their full potential. The school focuses on providing a safe and nurturing environment where students are valued and encouraged to develop their gifts and talents. St Leonard's offers a good quality of education, as recognized by Ofsted. The school also has a strong commitment to its Catholic Christian heritage, promoting the values and attitudes of Jesus Christ. With a focus on academic achievement and personal growth, St Leonard's is dedicated to preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century.

St Bede's Catholic Comprehensive School and Sixth Form College is a co-educational secondary school located in Lanchester, North East. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and a strong emphasis on Roman Catholic values, the school provides a supportive learning environment. Despite its lower overall grade, the school has shown improvement in academics and resources. It also offers a sixth form program and has achieved a respectable A-level results percentage. Parents seeking a Catholic education for their children will find St Bede's to be a welcoming and inclusive school.

St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College is a co-educational Roman Catholic secondary school and sixth form located in Bishop Auckland, North East. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school provides a positive and ambitious learning environment where pupils can flourish. The school's focus on personal development and welfare is a strength, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education. While exam results have shown some fluctuation, the school is committed to continuous improvement and effective teaching, learning, and assessment.

Framwellgate School Durham is a co-educational secondary school located in Framwellgate Moor, North East. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and a strong focus on personal development and behavior, the school provides a safe and supportive learning environment. Offering a sixth-form provision and achieving a Good rating from Ofsted, the school ensures quality education and prepares students for future success. With exam results showing 52% of students achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs, Framwellgate School Durham prioritizes academic excellence.

The Academy at Shotton Hall is an outstanding secondary school located in Peterlee, North East. With a strong focus on maintaining high standards and behavior, the school provides a nurturing and respectful environment for students to learn. The dedicated staff and exceptional leadership ensure excellent academic achievements and students' overall well-being. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, each student receives individual attention and support. The school prides itself on its outstanding attitude towards learning and instilling valuable skills in students. However, there is room for improvement in providing more opportunities for developing research, critical thinking, and mathematical skills. Overall, The Academy at Shotton Hall is a highly reputable institution that values its students and offers an exceptional education.

Seaham High School is a thriving and inclusive secondary school located in Seaham, North East. With a strong leadership under Mr Geoffrey William Lumsdon, the school provides a safe and nurturing environment for students aged 11-16. The school boasts a co-ed setting with a diverse student body, offering a wide range of opportunities for academic and personal growth. With a focus on supporting students from all backgrounds, Seaham High School ensures that every child has access to a quality education, with a significant percentage eligible for free school meals. Additionally, the school celebrates diversity with a small percentage of students who speak English as a second language. With a sizeable student population of over 1000, Seaham High School is dedicated to imparting knowledge, skills, and values that prepare students for success in their future endeavors.

Hermitage Academy is a co-ed secondary school located in Durham, North East. With a student teacher ratio of 13:1, we prioritize individual attention and personalized education. Our school size of 1050 ensures a close-knit community, while our experienced staff of 78.3 full-time teachers and 10 assistants provides quality education. We are proud to have a diverse student body, with 505 boys and 545 girls, catering to a wide range of academic and social needs. At Hermitage Academy, we foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, ensuring their success and well-being.

Woodham Academy is a secondary school located in Great Aycliffe, North East. With a strong focus on academic achievement, the school provides high-quality opportunities for students to excel. The dedicated staff and effective leadership ensure a positive learning environment where students thrive. With a good overall grade from Ofsted, Woodham Academy is a great choice for parents looking for a school that prioritizes personal development, behavior, and welfare.

North Durham Academy is a secondary school located in Stanley, North East. With a strong focus on providing an exemplary education, the school prioritizes the well-being and success of its students. With a student teacher ratio of 17:1 and a Good rating from Ofsted, parents can trust that their children will receive high-quality teaching and support. The school values kindness, optimism, honesty, resolve, and respect, and works towards creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. With a 29% Grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs and a 51% achievement of GCSE grades 4 or higher, North Durham Academy demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence.

Sedgefield Community College is a safe and welcoming secondary school in Sedgefield, North East. With a strong focus on academic success and personal development, the school provides effective support for students with SEND. With clear safeguarding arrangements, it offers a happy and valued environment for both pupils and staff.

King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is a co-educational secondary school located in Bishop Auckland, North East. With a student teacher ratio of 14:1 and a strong focus on personal development and welfare, the school provides a supportive learning environment for students aged 11-18. The school has been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, demonstrating its effectiveness in leadership, teaching, and outcomes for pupils. With a B- grade overall, King James I Academy is committed to providing quality education and ensuring the well-being of its students.

Parkside Academy is a co-educational secondary school located in Willington, North East. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and a strong emphasis on success, the school offers a dynamic environment where students can thrive. Boasting an outstanding Ofsted rating and impressive exam results, Parkside Academy prioritizes the development of confident and skilled young adults. With a focus on healthy lifestyles, respect, and community involvement, this excellent institution prepares students for life beyond school.

St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College is a secondary school located in Peterlee, North East. With a strong Roman Catholic ethos, the school offers a co-educational learning environment for students aged 11-18. Led by Headteacher Mrs Frances Cessford, the school strives to provide a high-quality education to its diverse student body of 808 students. With a dedicated sixth form, St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College offers comprehensive educational opportunities for students beyond secondary school. The school prides itself on being inclusive, with a 209% eligible for free school meals and a 3.50% English not 1st language student population.

Whitworth Park Academy is a co-ed secondary school in Spennymoor, North East. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, our dedicated staff provide individualized attention to ensure academic success. Our diverse student body of 793 students includes 230% eligible for free school meals and 4.7% receiving SEN support. With a focus on improving academics, we strive for better results, achieving a grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs for 29% of students in 2019. Join us at Whitworth Park Academy, where every student matters.

Belmont Community School is a secondary school located in Belmont, North East. With a strong leadership and management team, the school offers good teaching with high expectations, resulting in rising standards of attainment. The school focuses on reducing the gap in progress between disadvantaged pupils and others, providing effective support for students with special educational needs. The school also places importance on personal development, behavior and welfare of students, fostering positive relationships between pupils and staff. With an overall grade of B-, Belmont Community School ensures a safe and inclusive environment for students to thrive.

Easington Academy is a secondary school located in Easington Village, North East. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, our school provides a supportive and structured environment where students are treated as individuals. We prioritize excellent behavior and offer access to the latest technology and creative teaching methods. Our students have a wide range of extracurricular activities to choose from, ensuring their holistic development. With a focus on academic and social potential, we aim to provide the best outcomes for our students, creating joyful memories throughout their time at Easington Academy.

Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College is a co-ed secondary school located in Ferryhill, North East. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. It prioritizes student safety and provides resources for academic excellence. The school's focus on business and entrepreneurship prepares students for future success. With a Grade C- in academics and a Grade D+ in teaching, the school strives to improve student outcomes. In 2019, 34% of students achieved Grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs. Join us to nurture your child's potential!