The hardest schools to get into in County Durham
Secondary: 201 families put Tanfield School first in 2026 and 145 of them (72%) were offered a place.
Reception: 36 families put Kirk Merrington Primary School first in 2026 and 24 of them (67%) were offered a place.
Every state school in County Durham with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tanfield School · Stanley | 201 | 145 (72%) | 149 |
| 2 | Wolsingham School · Bishop Auckland | 181 | 140 (77%) | 143 |
| 3 | Durham Johnston Comprehensive School · Durham | 328 | 257 (78%) | 257 |
| 4 | Belmont Community School · Durham | 212 | 180 (85%) | 185 |
| 5 | Easington Academy · Peterlee | 202 | 184 (91%) | 189 |
| 6 | Park View School · Chester le Street | 250 | 228 (91%) | 235 |
| 7 | Woodham Academy · Newton Aycliffe | 240 | 225 (94%) | 225 |
| 8 | St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham · Durham · faith | 215 | 205 (95%) | 222 |
| 9 | The Academy at Shotton Hall · Peterlee | 277 | 266 (96%) | 271 |
| 10 | St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College · Bishop Auckland · faith | 210 | 203 (97%) | 209 |
| 11 | Whitworth Park Academy · Spennymoor | 219 | 212 (97%) | 218 |
| 12 | Sedgefield Community College · Stockton-on-Tees | 201 | 196 (98%) | 198 |
| 13 | King James I Academy Bishop Auckland · Bishop Auckland | 152 | 149 (98%) | 156 |
| 14 | Wellfield School · Wingate | 152 | 151 (99%) | 163 |
| 15 | Consett Academy · Consett | 233 | 233 (100%) | 254 |
| 16 | St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester · Durham · faith | 205 | 205 (100%) | 221 |
| 17 | Seaham High School · Seaham | 177 | 177 (100%) | 195 |
| 18 | Framwellgate School Durham · Durham | 172 | 172 (100%) | 209 |
| 19 | Ferryhill School · Ferryhill | 134 | 134 (100%) | 156 |
| 20 | Hermitage Academy · Chester le Street | 133 | 133 (100%) | 154 |
| 21 | North Durham Academy · Stanley | 119 | 119 (100%) | 163 |
| 22 | St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College · Peterlee · faith | 103 | 103 (100%) | 107 |
| 23 | Parkside Academy · Crook | 102 | 102 (100%) | 117 |
| 24 | Dene Academy · Peterlee | 101 | 101 (100%) | 104 |
| 25 | Bishop Barrington Academy · Bishop Auckland | 95 | 95 (100%) | 106 |
| 26 | Teesdale School and Sixth Form · Barnard Castle | 94 | 94 (100%) | 99 |
| 27 | Staindrop Academy · Darlington | 94 | 94 (100%) | 95 |
| 28 | Durham Academy · Durham | 83 | 83 (100%) | 89 |
| 29 | Greenfield Academy · Newton Aycliffe | 72 | 72 (100%) | 81 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in County Durham
What is the hardest school to get into in County Durham?
For secondary places, 201 families put Tanfield School first in 2026 and 145 of them (72%) were offered a place. For Reception, 36 families put Kirk Merrington Primary School first and 24 of them (67%) were offered a place.
How many families in County Durham get their first-choice school?
94.2% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 97.3% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where County Durham published it in its admissions booklet.