Grammar schools in Houghton le Spring
There are no grammar schools in Houghton le Spring.
Grammar schools are state secondaries that select by ability, usually through an 11+ test. Only 46 of the 226 local authorities in the UK still have any, and County Durham and Sunderland is not among them, so every state secondary in Houghton le Spring admits without a selective test.
The nearest is Ripon Grammar School, about 48.5 miles away in North Yorkshire. Most grammar schools accept out-of-area applicants, though distance is often a tie-breaker when a school is oversubscribed.
Nearest grammar schools to Houghton le Spring
Straight-line distance from the centre of Houghton le Spring — not a travel time.
| School | Area | Distance | Intake | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ripon Grammar School | Ripon | 48.5 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith | Penrith | 52.6 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Ermysted's Grammar School | Skipton | 64.4 miles | Boys | Good |
| Skipton Girls' High School | Skipton | 64.4 miles | Girls | Good |
| Lancaster Royal Grammar School | Lancaster | 76.0 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Clitheroe Royal Grammar School | Clitheroe | 76.1 miles | Mixed | Outstanding |
Published admissions priorities
These are extracts from school-specific arrangements for the entry years shown, in priority order. They are not the full policy or a prediction of an offer. Check the linked arrangement for test eligibility, deadlines and all remaining priorities.
Ripon Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children who met the required standard (published source)
- Children with exceptional medical or social need (professional evidence required) (published source)
- Children of Ripon Grammar School staff (published source)
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children (incl. state care outside England) (published source)
- Current Family Association: sibling attending the school at time of admission (published source)
- Up to 10 places (2 per form group, PAN 160): Pupil Premium/Service Premium students (published source)
Ermysted's Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children who met the required standard (published source)
- Applicants within the catchment area who met the required standard (published source)
- Applicants outside the catchment area who met the required standard (published source)
Lancaster Royal Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children at/near the minimum level (published source)
- Priority catchment area (City of Lancaster), Pupil Premium, at/near minimum level (published source)
- Priority catchment area, at/above minimum level (published source)
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children (published source)
- Immediate catchment area residents eligible for Pupil Premium (published source)
- Immediate catchment area residents (published source)
Schools in Houghton le Spring
Houghton le Spring has 22 open schools. Browse all Houghton le Spring schools with Ofsted ratings, catchment areas and admission criteria, or see them on the map.
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