Best secondary schools in Durham (2026)
Durham has 4 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham, in the top 12% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 52.9, against 46.1 for England. 0 are in England's top 10%, and 0 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Durham has no grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 12% in England |
St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham Durham · Roman Catholic |
58.1 | 57.7 | 59% | Not judged | |
2 Top 14% in England |
Durham Johnston Comprehensive School Durham |
55.7 | 55.2 | 62% | Not judged | |
3 Top 27% in England |
Belmont Community School Durham |
51.1 | 53.4 | 59% | No rating | |
4 Top 47% in England |
Framwellgate School Durham Durham |
47.0 | 45.2 | 40% | Not judged |
Other towns in County Durham
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Durham?
On exam results over the last three years, St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham is the top-ranked secondary school in Durham, in the top 12% 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.