Schools across County Durham
Local authority · 284 schools across 34 towns
284
211 primary · 32 secondary
74,162
86% capacity used
81
7 outstanding · 74 good
86,244
12,082 spare places
Ofsted Ratings
Area Performance (2025)
KS2 Reading
72.7%
KS2 Maths
71.6%
School Capacity
Primary Schools
8,332 spare places
Secondary Schools
4,140 spare places
Pupil Absence
Avg Overall Absence
6.1%
2024/25
Avg Persistent Absence
15.9%
2024/25
Schools Reporting
241
2024/25
Absence trend across County Durham schools
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.
EHCP Timeliness
Issued Within 20 Weeks
17%
Plans Issued
920
Assessment Requests
1,009
Tribunal Cases
65
EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)
Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.
Admission Appeals
2025 admission appeals by school phase
Primary
45
Lodged
(0.8%)
28
Heard
9
Successful
(32%)
Primary (infant classes)
15
Lodged
(0.3%)
14
Heard
2
Successful
(14%)
Secondary
232
Lodged
(3.4%)
166
Heard
45
Successful
(27%)
Total
277
Lodged
(2.2%)
194
Heard
54
Successful
(28%)
Total appeals lodged per year
Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.
Towns in County Durham
Durham
56 schools
Bishop Auckland
38 schools
Consett
23 schools
Peterlee
21 schools
Stanley
21 schools
Newton Aycliffe
16 schools
Chester le Street
15 schools
Spennymoor
12 schools
Crook
12 schools
Ferryhill
10 schools
Seaham
10 schools
Barnard Castle
8 schools
Darlington
4 schools
Hartlepool
4 schools
Stockton-on-Tees
4 schools
Wingate
3 schools
Shildon
3 schools
Houghton le Spring
3 schools
Trimdon Station
3 schools
Bowburn
2 schools