Durham Sixth Form Centre
85%
Capacity
1,708
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Durham Sixth Form Centre
Durham Sixth Form Centre holds an Ofsted rating of Outstanding, a distinction shared by only five of the 35 state secondary schools in County Durham. As a dedicated 16-19 institution, its academic story is best told through Progress 8, the government’s key measure of how much students improve between GCSEs and A-levels. While the school’s own Progress 8 score is not available in the data, the local authority average for similar schools sits at -0.21, meaning the typical student in County Durham leaves sixth form with slightly lower attainment than the national average. Given its Outstanding rating, Durham Sixth Form Centre likely outperforms this benchmark significantly. The school is one of the largest in the area, with 1,708 pupils against a capacity of 2,000, suggesting strong demand and a reputation that draws students from across the region.
Beyond its Ofsted rating, the school’s academic environment is shaped by its size and specialism. As a sixth-form-only centre, it focuses entirely on post-16 study, which often allows for deeper subject specialisation and tailored teaching compared to schools with younger year groups. The data does not include specific A-level or BTEC results, but the Outstanding grade implies consistently strong outcomes across a broad curriculum. For context, the nearest Outstanding-rated school is St Leonard’s Catholic School, just one kilometre away, indicating a competitive local landscape. Parents should note that Durham Sixth Form Centre is a state-funded, non-selective institution with no religious character, so admissions are likely based on prior attainment and capacity rather than faith or catchment area.
The school is well-equipped for a sixth-form setting, with facilities including a dedicated sixth form centre, a chapel, music rooms, art studios, and extensive sports provision such as a swimming pool, astro turf, tennis courts, and rowing. Clubs and activities range from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Young Enterprise to coding, debate, and gardening, offering plenty of enrichment beyond the classroom. SEND support covers a wide range of needs, including dyslexia, autism, hearing and visual impairments, and social, emotional, and mental health difficulties. This combination of strong academic oversight, broad facilities, and inclusive support makes Durham Sixth Form Centre a strong fit for students who are motivated to study at a large, focused post-16 environment and who want access to both academic and extracurricular opportunities without the distractions of a younger school cohort.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 16 to 19 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Providence Row, Durham, County Durham, DH1 1SG |
| Headteacher | Joanne Lain |
| Local Authority | County Durham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,708 |
| School Capacity | 1,708 / 2,000 (85% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
20Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Class profile
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British91.7%
- White (other)2.3%
- Mixed2.3%
- Asian2.2%
- Black0.1%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2023/24Better than 75% of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
6
Total schools
5
Oversubscribed
3
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Durham Sixth Form Centre
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
Contact Information
Providence Row, Durham
County Durham, DH1 1SG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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