Grammar schools in Seaham
There are no grammar schools in Seaham.
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 is not one of them, so every state secondary in Seaham admits without a selective test.
The nearest is Ripon Grammar School, about 48.6 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 Seaham
Straight-line distance from the centre of Seaham — not a travel time.
| School | Area | Distance | Intake | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ripon Grammar School | Ripon | 48.6 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith | Penrith | 57.1 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Ermysted's Grammar School | Skipton | 65.8 miles | Boys | Good |
| Skipton Girls' High School | Skipton | 65.9 miles | Girls | Good |
| The North Halifax Grammar School | Halifax | 77.4 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Clitheroe Royal Grammar School | Clitheroe | 78.2 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)
The North Halifax Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked After, Previously Looked After, or Special Guardianship children (published source)
- Pupil Premium and Service Premium children (published source)
- Up to 10% of places (of PAN 180): children in NHGS's own Priority Admissions Area (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 Seaham
Seaham has 11 open schools. Browse all Seaham schools with Ofsted ratings, catchment areas and admission criteria, or see them on the map.
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