Schools in Durham: A Guide for Parents

Durham is a city that takes education seriously, from its world-famous university to a strong network of primary and secondary schools serving families across the city and its surrounding villages. If you are moving to the area or thinking ahead to your child's next step, here is a parents' guide to the main schools in Durham, both state and independent, and how the admissions process works.

State secondary schools

Durham has several well-regarded state secondaries. Durham Johnston Comprehensive School, on Crossgate Moor to the west of the centre, is one of the largest and most established, tracing its roots to a county grammar school founded in 1901 and serving the city and communities to the south and west. Framwellgate School Durham, in Framwellgate Moor to the north, is a large secondary with its own sixth form and academy status. St Leonard's Catholic School offers Catholic secondary education with a sixth form, while Belmont Community School is an 11–16 school on the eastern edge of the city, sharing its campus with Belmont Primary.

Best for: Best for families wanting strong, well-established state secondary options across the city.

Independent schools

Durham also has a notable independent sector, led by the Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation, which brings together Durham School, Bow School and the Chorister School under one foundation. Set in historic buildings around the city and the cathedral, they offer schooling from the early years through to sixth form, with the Chorister School long associated with the cathedral choir. Durham High School for Girls provides independent education for girls in the city too. Fees, entry points and bursary options vary, so it is worth contacting each school directly.

Best for: Best for families considering fee-paying education with strong heritage and pastoral care.

Primary schools

The city and its neighbourhoods are served by a good spread of primary schools, both community and faith schools, including well-regarded options in Gilesgate, Neville's Cross, Newton Hall and Framwellgate Moor. Because catchment areas and places change year to year, the best starting point is Durham County Council's school-admissions pages, which list every school and its most recent intake information.

How admissions work

State school places in Durham are allocated by Durham County Council rather than the individual schools. Applications for primary (reception) and secondary (Year 7) places are made online through the council each autumn, with national offer days in the spring. It is well worth checking each school's latest Ofsted report and, where possible, attending an open evening before you list your preferences. For independent schools, you apply directly to the school, often with an assessment or entry point at particular ages.

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This guide is a general overview; always check Durham County Council's admissions pages and each school's own website for the latest information.