St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College
85%
Capacity
937
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College
St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the County Durham community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 937 pupils on roll and is well-filled (85% of 1,100 places).
Ofsted has rated St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College "Good", the school is led by headteacher Frances Cessford, it falls under County Durham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.22 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 44.0. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C. Additionally, ranked 2074th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 21st out of 31 in County Durham.
St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College is a popular choice with families — it received 327 applications for 119 places, making it 2.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 118 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College include Swimming Pool, Sixth Form Centre, Library, Theatre, Sports Hall, Science Labs, Astro Turf, Art Studios, Gymnasium, Music Rooms, Dining Hall, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rugby, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Hockey and 4 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Book Club, Gardening, Young Enterprise and 7 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 36.0%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in County Durham, St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College is one of the options available in the North East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Westway, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 1DE |
| Headteacher | Frances Cessford |
| Local Authority | County Durham |
| Number of Pupils | 937 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 36.0% |
| School Capacity | 937 / 1,100 (85% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
14 Jun 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (14 Jun 2023): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 6 Mar 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.22)
2074th of 3,141
Nationally
74th of 142
In North East
21st of 31
In County Durham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
37.0
'22/23
33.4
'23/24
30.4
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed119
327
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
118 families put this school as their 1st choice (36% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College
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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Westway, Peterlee
County Durham, SR8 1DE
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College!
Write a Review