2026 Best Secondary Schools in Durham Area

Durham secondary schools offer diverse options across the historic cathedral city, with Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation and St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham among the top-ranked independent schools, while Durham Johnston Comprehensive School leads among state comprehensives. With 8 secondary schools serving Durham, families in Gilesgate, Crossgate, and Neville's Cross have access to a mix of independent and state options. However, secondary schools have an average FMS Inspection Score of 7.4/10, Good band, compared with England's 7.4/10 (Good). The average Attainment 8 score of 47 exceeds England's 39, showing solid academic performance despite lower FMS Inspection Score. Use the search filters to compare schools by Attainment 8 or FMS Inspection Score.