The School Record

Published admissions and inspection figures for schools in England, from the DfE, Ofsted and local authorities.

Most sought-after schools in County Durham

Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.

This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.

This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.

# School First preferences per place Newest intake Latest Ofsted
1 Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academy
Stockton-on-Tees, primary
1.62 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
2 St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School
Durham, primary
1.50 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
3 Framwellgate Moor Primary School
Durham, primary
1.45 2025 Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
4 Kirk Merrington Primary School
Spennymoor, primary
1.40 2025 Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
5 Langley Moor Primary School
Durham, primary
1.39 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
6 Montalbo Nursery & Primary School
Barnard Castle, primary
1.37 2025 Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
7 Wolsingham School
Bishop Auckland, secondary
1.37 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
8 Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School
Durham, primary
1.33 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
9 St John's Church of England Aided Primary School, Shildon
Shildon, primary
1.33 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
10 Hartside Primary Academy
Crook, primary
1.30 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
11 Sedgefield Community College
Stockton-on-Tees, secondary
1.24 2025 School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
12 Tanfield School
Stanley, secondary
1.24 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
13 Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
Durham, secondary
1.19 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
14 Shotton Hall Primary School
Peterlee, primary
1.16 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
15 King James I Academy Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland, secondary
1.15 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
16 Park View School
Chester le Street, secondary
1.13 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
17 Red Rose Primary School
Chester le Street, primary
1.13 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
18 Cassop Primary School
Durham, primary
1.10 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
19 North Park Primary School
Spennymoor, primary
1.10 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
20 Lanchester Endowed Parochial Primary School
Durham, primary
1.07 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
21 St Anne's CofE Primary School
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.07 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
22 Belmont Community School
Durham, secondary
1.06 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
23 Woodham Academy
Newton Aycliffe, secondary
1.06 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
24 Roseberry Primary and Nursery School
Chester le Street, primary
1.03 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
25 St Charles' Catholic Primary School, Tudhoe
Spennymoor, primary
1.03 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
26 Toft Hill Primary School
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.03 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
27 Tudhoe Colliery Primary School
Spennymoor, primary
1.03 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
28 Staindrop Academy
Darlington, secondary
1.02 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
29 Sugar Hill Primary School
Newton Aycliffe, primary
1.02 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
30 Annfield Plain Infant School
Stanley, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
31 Bearpark Primary School
Durham, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
32 Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School
Durham, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
33 Belmont CofE (Controlled) Primary School
Durham, primary
1.00 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
34 Bishop Ian Ramsey CofE Primary School
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
35 Blackhall Primary School
Hartlepool, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
36 Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School, Tow Law
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.00 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
37 Bloemfontein Primary School
Stanley, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
38 Bournmoor Primary School
Houghton le Spring, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
39 Broom Cottages Primary & Nursery School
Ferryhill, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
40 Bullion Lane Primary School
Chester le Street, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
41 Byerley Park Primary School
Newton Aycliffe, primary
1.00 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
42 Chester-Le-Street CofE (Controlled) Primary School
Chester le Street, primary
1.00 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
43 Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy
Ferryhill, primary
1.00 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
44 Cockfield Primary School
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
45 Cockton Hill Infant School
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.00 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
46 Consett Infant School
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
47 Coxhoe Primary School
Durham, primary
1.00 2025 Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
48 Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School
Ferryhill, primary
1.00 2025 Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
49 Delves Lane Primary School
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
50 Dene Academy
Peterlee, secondary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
51 Durham Gilesgate Primary School
Durham, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
52 Easington Academy
Peterlee, secondary
1.00 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
53 East Stanley School
Stanley, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
54 Ebchester CofE Primary School
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
55 Escomb Primary School
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.00 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
56 Etherley Lane Primary School
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.00 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
57 Howletch Lane Primary School
Peterlee, primary
1.00 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
58 Langley Park Primary School
Durham, primary
1.00 2025 Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
59 Laurel Avenue Community Primary School
Durham, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
60 Leadgate Primary School - Split Site
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
61 Lumley Infant and Nursery School
Chester le Street, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
62 Moorside Primary Academy
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
63 Nettlesworth Primary School
Chester le Street, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
64 New Seaham Academy
Seaham, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
65 Oakley Cross Primary School and Nursery
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
66 Our Lady and St Thomas Catholic Primary School, Willington
Crook,, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
67 Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Shotton
Durham, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
68 Pittington Primary School
DURHAM, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
69 Ribbon School
Seaham, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
70 Ropery Walk Primary School
Seaham, primary
1.00 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
71 Sacriston Academy
Durham, primary
1.00 2025 Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
72 Seascape Primary School
Peterlee, primary
1.00 2025 Urgent improvement (Ofsted report card (current framework))
73 Seaview Primary School
Seaham, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
74 Sherburn Primary School
Durham, primary
1.00 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
75 Shield Row Primary School
Stanley, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
76 Shotley Bridge Primary School
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
77 Shotton Primary School
Shotton Colliery, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
78 South Stanley Infant and Nursery School
Stanley, primary
1.00 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
79 St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester
Durham, secondary
1.00 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
80 St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston
Chester le Street, primary
1.00 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
81 St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Chester-Le-Street
Chester le Street, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
82 St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Seaham
Seaham, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
83 St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Newton Aycliffe, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
84 St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Coundon
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.00 2025 Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
85 St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Murton
Seaham, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
86 St Joseph's Catholic Primary, Stanley
Stanley, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
87 St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Blackhill
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
88 St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Newton Aycliffe
Newton Aycliffe, primary
1.00 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
89 St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Consett
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
90 St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Dipton
Stanley, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
91 St Pius Xth Catholic Primary School, Consett
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
92 St Stephen's Church of England Primary School
Crook, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
93 St William's Catholic Primary School
Trimdon Station, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
94 Stanley (Crook) Primary School
Crook, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
95 Stanley Burnside Primary School
Stanley, primary
1.00 2025 Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
96 Tanfield Lea Community Primary School
Stanley, primary
1.00 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
97 The Grove Primary School
Consett, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
98 Tow Law Millennium Primary School
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
99 West Cornforth Primary School
Ferryhill, primary
1.00 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
100 Westlea Primary School
Seaham, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
101 Willington Primary School
Crook, primary
1.00 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
102 Witton-le-Wear Primary School
Bishop Auckland, primary
1.00 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
103 Yohden Primary School
Peterlee, primary
1.00 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
104 Seaham High School
Seaham, secondary
0.99 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
105 St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College
Peterlee, secondary
0.99 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
106 Acre Rigg Infant School
Peterlee, primary
0.98 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
107 Burnopfield Primary School
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, primary
0.98 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
108 Dene House Primary School
Peterlee, primary
0.98 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
109 St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School
SEAHAM, primary
0.98 2025 Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
110 Teesdale School and Sixth Form
Barnard Castle, secondary
0.98 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
111 Wheatley Hill Community Primary School
Durham, primary
0.98 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
112 Brandon Primary Academy
Durham, primary
0.97 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
113 Chilton Academy
Ferryhill, primary
0.97 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
114 Greenland Community Primary School
Stanley, primary
0.97 2025 Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
115 Newker Primary School
Chester le Street, primary
0.97 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
116 Ouston Primary School
Chester le Street, primary
0.97 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
117 Rosa Street Primary and Nursery Academy
Spennymoor, primary
0.97 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
118 Seaham Trinity Primary School
Seaham, primary
0.97 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
119 St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School, Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland, primary
0.97 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
120 The Academy at Shotton Hall
Peterlee, secondary
0.97 2025 Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
121 Bluebell Meadow Primary School
Trimdon Station, primary
0.96 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
122 South Hetton Primary
Durham, primary
0.96 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
123 St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College
Bishop Auckland, secondary
0.96 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
124 Witton Gilbert Primary School
Durham, primary
0.96 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
125 Easington Colliery Primary School
Peterlee, primary
0.95 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
126 St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Crook
Crook, primary
0.95 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
127 Wolsingham Primary School
Bishop Auckland, primary
0.95 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
128 Cotsford Primary School
Peterlee, primary
0.94 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
129 Middlestone Moor Academy
Durham, primary
0.94 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
130 Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School
Peterlee, primary
0.94 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
131 Victoria Lane Academy
Bishop Auckland, primary
0.94 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
132 Finchale Primary School
Durham, primary
0.93 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
133 Shincliffe CofE (Controlled) Primary School
Durham, primary
0.93 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
134 Thornhill Primary School
Shildon, primary
0.93 2025 Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
135 Whitworth Park Academy
Spennymoor, secondary
0.93 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
136 Cestria Primary School
Chester le Street, primary
0.92 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
137 Consett Academy
Consett, secondary
0.92 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
138 Durham Academy
Durham, secondary
0.92 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
139 St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Sacriston
Durham, primary
0.92 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
140 St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham
Durham, secondary
0.92 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
141 St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle, primary
0.92 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
142 Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery School
Newton Aycliffe, primary
0.92 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
143 Byers Green Primary School
Spennymoor, primary
0.91 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
144 Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery
Durham, primary
0.90 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
145 St Michael's Church of England Primary School
Ferryhill, primary
0.90 2025 School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
146 Staindrop CofE (Controlled) Primary School
Darlington, primary
0.90 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
147 Durham Newton Hall Infants' School
Durham, primary
0.89 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
148 Howden-le-Wear Primary School
Crook, primary
0.89 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
149 St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Esh Village
Durham, primary
0.89 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
150 West Rainton Primary School
Houghton le Spring, primary
0.89 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
151 Bishop Barrington Academy
Bishop Auckland, secondary
0.88 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
152 Ferryhill School
Ferryhill, secondary
0.88 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
153 Hermitage Academy
Chester le Street, secondary
0.88 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
154 King Street Primary School
Spennymoor, primary
0.88 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
155 Framwellgate School Durham
Durham, secondary
0.87 2025 Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
156 Springmoor Grange School
Spennymoor, primary
0.87 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
157 St Godric's Catholic Primary School, Durham
Durham, primary
0.87 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
158 All Saints' Catholic Primary School, Lanchester
Durham, primary
0.86 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
159 St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
Durham, primary
0.84 2025 Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
160 St Godrics Catholic Primary School, Thornley
Durham, primary
0.83 2025 Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
161 Browney Primary Academy
Browney, primary
0.79 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
162 Crook Primary School
Crook, primary
0.78 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
163 Parkside Academy
Crook, secondary
0.75 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
164 Neville's Cross Primary School and Nursery
Durham, primary
0.74 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
165 North Durham Academy
Stanley, secondary
0.74 2025 Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
166 Timothy Hackworth Primary School
Shildon, primary
0.71 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
167 Sedgefield Primary School
Stockton-on-Tees, primary
0.70 2025 School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)

Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 167 schools in County Durham have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in County Durham · How we compare schools.