St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College
91%
Capacity
1,268
Pupils
2.1x
Demand
About St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College
St John's Catholic School & 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 1,268 pupils on roll and is well-filled (91% of 1,400 places).
Ofsted has rated St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College "Good", the school is led by headteacher Lisa Byron, it falls under County Durham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.16 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 50.6. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1174th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 10th out of 31 in County Durham.
St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College is a popular choice with families — it received 435 applications for 202 places, making it 2.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 193 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 John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College include Swimming Pool, Sports Hall, Science Labs, Dining Hall, ICT Suite, Library, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Athletics, Martial Arts, Rowing and 2 more, as well as clubs including Book Club, Art Club, Gardening, Chess and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 26.9%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in County Durham, St John's Catholic School & 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 | Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 6JT |
| Headteacher | Lisa Byron |
| Local Authority | County Durham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,268 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 26.9% |
| School Capacity | 1,268 / 1,400 (91% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
9 May 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (9 May 2024): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 4 Mar 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.16)
1174th of 3,141
Nationally
32nd of 142
In North East
10th 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
37.8
'22/23
34.7
'23/24
34.9
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
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed202
435
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
193 families put this school as their 1st choice (44% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St John's Catholic School & 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
Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland
County Durham, DL14 6JT
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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