Best secondary schools in Bishop Auckland (2026)
Bishop Auckland has 3 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College, in the top 39% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 43.2, against 46.1 for England. 0 are in England's top 10%, and 0 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Bishop Auckland has no grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 39% in England |
St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College Bishop Auckland · Roman Catholic |
48.2 | 46.4 | 41% | No rating | |
2 Bottom 31% in England |
King James I Academy Bishop Auckland Bishop Auckland |
43.6 | 43.9 | 29% | Report card | |
3 Bottom 20% in England |
Bishop Barrington Academy Bishop Auckland |
41.6 | 39.4 | 24% | Good |
Other towns in County Durham
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Bishop Auckland?
On exam results over the last three years, St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College is the top-ranked secondary school in Bishop Auckland, in the top 39% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.