St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester
87%
Capacity
1,258
Pupils
1.9x
Demand
About St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester
St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the County Durham community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,258 pupils on roll and is well-filled (87% of 1,450 places).
Ofsted has rated St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Catherine Hammill, it falls under County Durham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.22 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 49.8. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1025th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 8th out of 31 in County Durham.
St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester is a popular choice with families — it received 449 applications for 230 places, making it 1.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 230 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester include Swimming Pool, ICT Suite, Art Studios, Gymnasium, Library, Playing Fields, Dining Hall, Sports Hall, Music Rooms, Tennis Courts, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rowing, Cricket, Basketball, Rugby and 3 more, as well as clubs including Young Enterprise, Coding, Orchestra, Science Club and 7 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 19.5%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in County Durham, St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester 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 | Consett Road, Durham, County Durham, DH7 0RD |
| Headteacher | Catherine Hammill |
| Local Authority | County Durham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,258 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 19.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,258 / 1,450 (87% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Mar 2023Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 22 Jun 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.22)
1025th of 3,141
Nationally
27th of 142
In North East
8th of 31
In County Durham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more 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
34.2
'22/23
32.5
'23/24
33.1
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
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed230
449
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
230 families put this school as their 1st choice (51% 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 Sixth Form College, Lanchester
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
Consett Road, Durham
County Durham, DH7 0RD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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