St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham
100%
Capacity
1,260
Pupils
2.5x
Demand
About St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham
St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the County Durham community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,260 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (100% of 1,265 places).
the school is led by headteacher Christopher Hammill, it falls under County Durham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.64 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 57.2. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of B-. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 342nd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 2nd out of 31 in County Durham.
St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham is a popular choice with families — it received 481 applications for 192 places, making it 2.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 176 were first-preference applications.
St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 83% recommending the school (206 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham include Music Rooms, Dining Hall, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Sixth Form Centre, Astro Turf, Playing Fields, Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Science Labs, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Tennis, Cricket, Martial Arts and 5 more, as well as clubs including Eco Club, Gardening, Drama, Film Club and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 13.5%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in County Durham, St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham 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 | North End, Durham, County Durham, DH1 4NG |
| Headteacher | Christopher Hammill |
| Local Authority | County Durham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,260 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 13.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,260 / 1,265 (100% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
8 Oct 2024Quality of Education
Outstanding
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 17 Nov 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.64)
342nd of 3,141
Nationally
7th of 142
In North East
2nd of 31
In County Durham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly 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
41.6
'22/23
36.4
'23/24
35.2
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
206 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed192
481
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
176 families put this school as their 1st choice (37% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham
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
North End, Durham
County Durham, DH1 4NG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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