Is St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 8 October 2024 and graded each area separately, with quality of education judged Outstanding. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded B, 1st of 30 secondary schools in County Durham. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham averaged an Attainment 8 score of 56.5 (England: 46.2). 59.8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham?

Applications for Year 7 places at St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham starting in September 2027 close on 31 October 2026. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027 (or the next working day).

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St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham

North End, Durham, DH1 4NG

Local ranking1st of 30 secondary schools in County Durham

Ofsted: OutstandingUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1265

Capacity

11-18

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 8 October 2024. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Inspection

Inspected 8 October 2024 — from September 2024 Ofsted no longer gave an overall grade, but each area below was judged in full

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Quality of education: Outstanding
Behaviour & attitudes: Outstanding
Personal development: Outstanding
Leadership & management: Outstanding
Sixth form provision: Outstanding

Scale: Outstanding · Good · Requires improvement · Inadequate

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 56.5 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 59.8% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 80.9% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 209

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 96.0%
Continued in education: 89.0%
Apprenticeships: 5.0%
Employment: 2.0%
Not sustained: 3.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 92.0%
Higher education: 68.0%
Apprenticeships: 9.0%
Employment: 14.0%
Not sustained: 5.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Avg A-Level Grade

38.9

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

38.3

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.8

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 24.7% nat17.5%
Applied General Avg Points: 37.2
16-18 Cohort: 208

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 1260
Boys: 653 (51%)
Girls: 640 (49%)
Capacity: 1265 (102% full)
SEND: 8.6%
FSM Eligible: 14.3%
EAL: 7.3%
SEN with EHC Plan: 1.4%
SEN Support: 7.2%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 16.4:1
Teachers (FTE): 76.7
Budget per Pupil: £7,734/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 6.5% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 15.9% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Nursery: No Nursery Classes
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 83.1%
White Other: 4.5%
Other: 2.3%
Asian Indian: 2.0%
Black African: 1.8%
Mixed White & Asian: 1.5%
Mixed White & Black African: 1.0%
Asian Other: 0.9%

83.1%

White British

4.5%

White Other

2.3%

Other

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01913848575

Enquiries@STL.BWCET.com

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North End

Durham, North East

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Administrative

URN: 143583
UKPRN: 10061772
Establishment No.: 4691
Trust: BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST

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