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	Kirk Merrington Primary School Spennymoor, primary	1.44	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
2	Montalbo Nursery & Primary School Barnard Castle, primary	1.40	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
3	St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School Durham, primary	1.35	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
4	Tanfield School Stanley, secondary	1.35	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
5	Byerley Park Primary School Newton Aycliffe, primary	1.31	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
6	Durham Johnston Comprehensive School Durham, secondary	1.28	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
7	Wolsingham School Bishop Auckland, secondary	1.27	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
8	Shotton Hall Primary School Peterlee, primary	1.22	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
9	St Anne's CofE Primary School Bishop Auckland, primary	1.19	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
10	Aycliffe Village Primary and Nursery School Newton Aycliffe, primary	1.17	2026	none held
11	St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School, Bishop Auckland Bishop Auckland, primary	1.17	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
12	Stanley (Crook) Primary School Crook, primary	1.16	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
13	Belmont Community School Durham, secondary	1.15	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
14	Castleside Primary School Consett, primary	1.15	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
15	St Charles' Catholic Primary School, Tudhoe Spennymoor, primary	1.13	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
16	Witton Gilbert Primary School Durham, primary	1.13	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
17	Witton-le-Wear Primary School Bishop Auckland, primary	1.13	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
18	Framwellgate Moor Primary School Durham, primary	1.12	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
19	St Godrics Catholic Primary School, Thornley Durham, primary	1.08	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
20	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Blackhall Hartlepool, primary	1.08	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
21	Easington Academy Peterlee, secondary	1.07	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
22	Rosa Street Primary and Nursery Academy Spennymoor, primary	1.07	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
23	St William's Catholic Primary School Trimdon Station, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
24	Thornhill Primary School Shildon, primary	1.07	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
25	Woodham Academy Newton Aycliffe, secondary	1.07	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
26	Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Peterlee, primary	1.06	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
27	Park View School Chester le Street, secondary	1.06	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
28	Shield Row Primary School Stanley, primary	1.04	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
29	Hartside Primary Academy Crook, primary	1.03	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
30	St Helen Auckland Community Primary School Bishop Auckland, primary	1.03	2026	none held
31	Toft Hill Primary School Bishop Auckland, primary	1.03	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
32	Sedgefield Community College Stockton-on-Tees, secondary	1.02	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
33	The Academy at Shotton Hall Peterlee, secondary	1.02	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
34	All Saints' Catholic Primary School, Lanchester Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
35	Annfield Plain Infant School Stanley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
36	Bishop Ian Ramsey CofE Primary School Consett, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
37	Blackhall Primary School Hartlepool, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
38	Bluebell Meadow Primary School Trimdon Station, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
39	Brandon Primary Academy Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
40	Broom Cottages Primary & Nursery School Ferryhill, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
41	Browney Primary Academy Browney, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
42	Bullion Lane Primary School Chester le Street, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
43	Burnopfield Primary School Newcastle-upon-Tyne, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
44	Catchgate Primary School Stanley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
45	Cestria Primary School Chester le Street, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
46	Chester-Le-Street CofE (Controlled) Primary School Chester le Street, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
47	Collierley Nursery and Primary School Stanley, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
48	Delves Lane Primary School Consett, primary	1.00	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
49	Dene House Primary School Peterlee, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
50	Durham Gilesgate Primary School Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
51	Durham Newton Hall Infants' School Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
52	East Stanley School Stanley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
53	Ebchester CofE Primary School Consett, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
54	Edmondsley Primary Academy Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
55	Esh CofE (Aided) Primary School Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
56	Evenwood Church of England Primary School Bishop Auckland, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
57	Fishburn Primary School Stockton-on-Tees, primary	1.00	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
58	Howletch Lane Primary School Peterlee, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
59	Kelloe Primary School Kelloe, primary	1.00	2026	none held
60	Lanchester Endowed Parochial Primary School Durham, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
61	Leadgate Primary School - Split Site Consett, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
62	Lumley Infant and Nursery School Chester le Street, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
63	Middleton-In-Teesdale Academy Barnard Castle, primary	1.00	2026	Inadequate (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
64	Newker Primary School Chester le Street, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
65	North Park Primary School Spennymoor, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
66	Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Peterlee, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
67	Ouston Primary School Chester le Street, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
68	Pelton Community Primary School Chester le Street, primary	1.00	2026	none held
69	Pittington Primary School DURHAM, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
70	Red Rose Primary School Chester le Street, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
71	Ribbon School Seaham, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
72	Ropery Walk Primary School Seaham, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
73	Roseberry Primary and Nursery School Chester le Street, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
74	Sacriston Academy Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
75	Seaham Trinity Primary School Seaham, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
76	Seascape Primary School Peterlee, primary	1.00	2026	Urgent improvement (Ofsted report card (current framework))
77	Seaview Primary School Seaham, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
78	Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academy Stockton-on-Tees, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
79	Sherburn Primary School Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
80	Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery Durham, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
81	South Stanley Infant and Nursery School Stanley, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
82	St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston Chester le Street, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
83	St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Seaham Seaham, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
84	St Godric's Catholic Primary School, Durham Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
85	St Hild's College Church of England Primary School, Durham Durham, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
86	St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College Bishop Auckland, secondary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
87	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Newton Aycliffe, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
88	St Joseph's Catholic Primary, Stanley Stanley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
89	St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School SEAHAM, primary	1.00	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
90	St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Blackhill Consett, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
91	St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Newton Aycliffe Newton Aycliffe, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
92	St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor Stanley, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
93	St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Esh Village Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
94	St Michael's Church of England Primary School Ferryhill, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
95	St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Consett Consett, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
96	St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Dipton Stanley, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
97	St Stephen's Church of England Primary School Crook, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
98	St Thomas More Primary School, Belmont Belmont, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
99	Staindrop CofE (Controlled) Primary School Darlington, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
100	Stanley Burnside Primary School Stanley, primary	1.00	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
101	Sunnybrow Primary School Crook, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
102	Tanfield Lea Community Primary School Stanley, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
103	The Grove Primary School Consett, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
104	Thornley Academy Durham, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
105	Tudhoe Colliery Primary School Spennymoor, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
106	West Cornforth Primary School Ferryhill, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
107	Westlea Primary School Seaham, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
108	Wheatley Hill Community Primary School Durham, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
109	Whitworth Park Academy Spennymoor, secondary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
110	Wolsingham Primary School Bishop Auckland, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
111	Easington Colliery Primary School Peterlee, primary	0.99	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
112	Staindrop Academy Darlington, secondary	0.99	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
113	Consett Infant School Consett, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
114	Belmont CofE (Controlled) Primary School Durham, primary	0.97	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
115	Cockton Hill Infant School Bishop Auckland, primary	0.97	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
116	Coxhoe Primary School Durham, primary	0.97	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
117	Crook Primary School Crook, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
118	Dene Academy Peterlee, secondary	0.97	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
119	Finchale Primary School Durham, primary	0.97	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
120	Greenland Community Primary School Stanley, primary	0.97	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
121	King James I Academy Bishop Auckland Bishop Auckland, secondary	0.97	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
122	Langley Moor Primary School Durham, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
123	Shotley Bridge Primary School Consett, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
124	Shotton Primary School Shotton Colliery, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
125	St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham Durham, secondary	0.97	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
126	Timothy Hackworth Primary School Shildon, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
127	Wingate Primary School Wingate, primary	0.97	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
128	Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School Durham, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
129	Chilton Academy Ferryhill, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
130	Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy Ferryhill, primary	0.96	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
131	Esh Winning Academy Durham, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
132	St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College Peterlee, secondary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
133	St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Chester-Le-Street Chester le Street, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
134	St John's Church of England Aided Primary School, Shildon Shildon, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
135	St Margaret's Church of England Primary School Durham, primary	0.96	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
136	Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery School Newton Aycliffe, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
137	Woodlea Primary School Houghton le Spring, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
138	Acre Rigg Infant School Peterlee, primary	0.95	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
139	Bearpark Primary School Durham, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
140	Cotsford Primary School Peterlee, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
141	New Seaham Academy Seaham, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
142	Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Shotton Durham, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
143	South Hetton Primary Durham, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
144	Teesdale School and Sixth Form Barnard Castle, secondary	0.95	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
145	Victoria Lane Academy Bishop Auckland, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
146	Woodham Burn Community Primary School and Nursery Newton Aycliffe, primary	0.95	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
147	Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School Ferryhill, primary	0.94	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
148	Etherley Lane Primary School Bishop Auckland, primary	0.94	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
149	Langley Park Primary School Durham, primary	0.94	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
150	West Rainton Primary School Houghton le Spring, primary	0.94	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
151	Durham Academy Durham, secondary	0.93	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
152	Howden-le-Wear Primary School Crook, primary	0.93	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
153	Hunwick Primary School Crook, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
154	Neville's Cross Primary School and Nursery Durham, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
155	Prince Bishops Community Primary School Bishop Auckland, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
156	St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester Durham, secondary	0.93	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
157	Vane Road Primary School Newton Aycliffe, primary	0.93	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
158	Wellfield School Wingate, secondary	0.93	2026	none held
159	Willington Primary School Crook, primary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
160	Consett Academy Consett, secondary	0.92	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
161	Deaf Hill Primary School Trimdon Station, primary	0.92	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
162	Our Lady and St Thomas Catholic Primary School, Willington Crook,, primary	0.92	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
163	Springmoor Grange School Spennymoor, primary	0.92	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
164	Yohden Primary School Peterlee, primary	0.92	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
165	Copeland Road Primary School Bishop Auckland, primary	0.91	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
166	Cotherstone Primary School Barnard Castle, primary	0.91	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
167	Seaham High School Seaham, secondary	0.91	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
168	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Coundon Bishop Auckland, primary	0.91	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
169	Bishop Barrington Academy Bishop Auckland, secondary	0.90	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
170	Shincliffe CofE (Controlled) Primary School Durham, primary	0.90	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
171	Greenfield Academy Newton Aycliffe, secondary	0.89	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
172	Sedgefield Primary School Stockton-on-Tees, primary	0.89	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
173	Sugar Hill Primary School Newton Aycliffe, primary	0.89	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
174	Escomb Primary School Bishop Auckland, primary	0.88	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
175	Middlestone Moor Academy Durham, primary	0.88	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
176	Oakley Cross Primary School and Nursery Bishop Auckland, primary	0.88	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
177	Woodhouse Primary Academy Bishop Auckland, primary	0.88	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
178	Parkside Academy Crook, secondary	0.87	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
179	Easington CofE Primary School Peterlee, primary	0.86	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
180	Ferryhill School Ferryhill, secondary	0.86	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
181	Hermitage Academy Chester le Street, secondary	0.86	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
182	St Andrew's Academy Bishop Auckland, primary	0.86	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
183	King Street Primary School Spennymoor, primary	0.85	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
184	Nettlesworth Primary School Chester le Street, primary	0.85	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
185	Framwellgate School Durham Durham, secondary	0.82	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
186	Byers Green Primary School Spennymoor, primary	0.80	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
187	St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle Barnard Castle, primary	0.79	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
188	North Durham Academy Stanley, secondary	0.73	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
189	Green Lane Church of England Primary School Barnard Castle, primary	0.65	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)

Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 189 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.