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Secondary schools in County Durham, ranked

The 30 secondary schools here are ranked by their average Attainment 8 score in 2024/25, from the Department for Education's published results. Progress 8 is suspended nationally for 2024/25 and 2025/26, so it cannot be used.

Exam results are one part of the picture, and rankings never include Ofsted judgements: inspections from different eras cannot fairly be compared. Special schools and independent schools are not ranked, because their published figures do not compare fairly either. Each school's own page has its inspection history and context.

  1. 1
    57.7
    Attainment 8
  2. 2
    Tanfield School

    Academy sponsor led

    57.5
    Attainment 8
  3. 3
    55.2
    Attainment 8
  4. 4
    Belmont Community School

    Community school

    53.4
    Attainment 8
  5. 5
    The Academy at Shotton Hall

    Academy converter

    52.2
    Attainment 8
  6. 6
    Easington Academy

    Academy converter

    51.8
    Attainment 8
  7. 7
    Sedgefield Community College

    Academy converter

    51.5
    Attainment 8
  8. 8
    Whitworth Park Academy

    Academy sponsor led

    50.4
    Attainment 8
  9. 9
    Teesdale School and Sixth Form

    Academy sponsor led

    49.6
    Attainment 8
  10. 10
    Hermitage Academy

    Academy converter

    49.1
    Attainment 8
  11. 11
    Woodham Academy

    Academy converter

    48.2
    Attainment 8
  12. 12
    Wellfield School

    Academy converter

    47.8
    Attainment 8
  13. 13
    Parkside Academy

    Academy converter

    46.9
    Attainment 8
  14. 14
    46.4
    Attainment 8
  15. 15
    Park View School

    Academy converter

    46.4
    Attainment 8
  16. 16
    Seaham High School

    Academy converter

    45.8
    Attainment 8
  17. 17
    Staindrop Academy

    Academy sponsor led

    45.6
    Attainment 8
  18. 18
    Framwellgate School Durham

    Academy converter

    45.2
    Attainment 8
  19. 19
    44.9
    Attainment 8
  20. 20
    Wolsingham School

    Academy converter

    44.7
    Attainment 8
  21. 21
    44.5
    Attainment 8
  22. 22
    Consett Academy

    Academy sponsor led

    44.2
    Attainment 8
  23. 23
    43.9
    Attainment 8
  24. 24
    Ferryhill School

    Academy converter

    41.5
    Attainment 8
  25. 25
    Dene Academy

    Academy converter

    41.4
    Attainment 8
  26. 26
    North Durham Academy

    Academy sponsor led

    39.8
    Attainment 8
  27. 27
    Bishop Barrington Academy

    Academy converter

    39.4
    Attainment 8
  28. 28
    UTC South Durham

    University technical college

    39.2
    Attainment 8
  29. 29
    Durham Academy

    Academy converter

    37.4
    Attainment 8
  30. 30
    Greenfield Academy

    Academy converter

    35.7
    Attainment 8

Common questions

Which is the best secondary school in County Durham?
By 2024/25 exam results alone, St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham ranks first of 30 ranked secondary schools in County Durham, with an average Attainment 8 score of 57.7. Results reflect each school's cohort as well as its teaching, so treat the ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict.
How are schools in County Durham ranked?
Secondary schools are ranked by their average Attainment 8 score in 2024/25, from the Department for Education's published results; Progress 8 is suspended nationally, so it cannot be used. Ofsted judgements are never part of the ranking, because inspections from different eras cannot fairly be compared, and special and independent schools are not ranked because their published figures do not compare fairly.
How many secondary schools are ranked in County Durham?
30 secondary schools in County Durham published 2024/25 results and are ranked here. Schools without published results, special schools and independent schools are listed on the area's own page instead.

Exam results come from the Department for Education's school performance service and cover the 2024/25 academic year. Schools without published results for that year are not listed.