St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham
Durham, DH1 4NG · County Durham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th of 30 secondary schools in County Durham we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 739 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.9/10 among them, against 8.5/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 59.8 · 81 | 46% | 3.74 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.64 · 89 | 38% | 3.42 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 56.5 · 88 | 15% | 1.35 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 59.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 57.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was +0.64, indicating pupils did better than those nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 8.0 out of 10 among them, against 8.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh, Rowing Club, Student Leadership, and Student Magazine – Scholaris Vox. Sports include rowing, while arts and music offer a choir and orchestra.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,293 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,265. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the rowing and music programmes integrated into the weekly timetable?
What Ofsted said about St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils “thrive in this academic and nurturing environment” and “all pupils are known and loved.” Despite significant disruption from building issues, “exceptional leadership” has driven “significant improvements” since the previous inspection, resulting in high standards across all key judgement areas.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve “exceptionally well in public examinations” with results that have “improved year-on-year.”
- The curriculum is “skilfully designed and taught” by “exceptionally knowledgeable” staff who sequence learning with “precision.”
- Pupils display “exemplary” attitudes to learning, being “highly motivated” and “keen to contribute to class discussion.”
- Personal development is a “high priority,” helping pupils build “character, resilience and a broad understanding of the world.”
- “Significant improvements” have been made for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with an “ambitious and inclusive curriculum.”
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 57.2 |
| 2024/25 | 57.7 |
| 2025/26 | 56.5 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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