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St Leonard’s RC School

Comprehensive

National rank

216

n/a

Rank last year

62.8^%

A-level

46.5^%

GCSE

Secondary School of the Year in the Northeast 2026; Secondary School of the Year in the Northeast for Academic Excellence 2026; Comprehensive School of the Year in the Northeast 2026

Need to know

Head teacher Chris Hammill

Attendance 93.6%

Gender of entry Mixed

Send pupils* 5.3% *Special educational needs and disabilities

Total pupils 1,403

Pupils on free school meals 14.3%

Progress 8

Progress 8 is a measure of the development a school cohort/pupils makes from year 6 to year 11. The data used is from 2024. There will be no KS2 updates for 2025 or 2026 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The government is consulting on an improved version of Progress 8 and Attainment 8

WELL ABOVE AVERAGE

Our methodology

Results

Grade

20.7

28.1

A*/A

34.7

A*-B

62.8

Grade

9/8

28.3

18.1

9/8/7

46.5

What the school inspection says

“St Leonard’s proudly states that ‘all pupils are known and loved’. This spreads through the culture of the school. Pupils thrive in this academic and nurturing environment. Pupils’ warm, respectful relationships with staff set solid foundations for learning. They enjoy a curriculum that is skilfully designed and taught. Pupils’ attitudes to learning are exemplary. They are highly motivated. Pupils overwhelmingly appreciate the high-quality teaching they receive. Pupils are keen to contribute to class discussion. They are not afraid to try, even if they make mistakes. The school has made significant improvements for pupils with special Send.”

Inspection

2024

In detail *

Read the full report

*Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgment in inspections of state-funded schools. A five-point grading scale, including a new “exceptional” grade was introduced in November 2025.

About the school

Part of the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust — a family of 48 schools working together “for the common good” — St Leonard’s Catholic School is the third highest-performing school in the northeast. Chris Hammill, the headteacher, describes how its academic achievements are “based on our distinct Catholic education of the whole person”.
Its “holistic curriculum” works to broaden the outlook and perspective of pupils throughout the school, with the tutor programme central to this. As well as traditional GCSEs, BTecs are offered in sport, health and social care, and information technology.
Sixth formers are encouraged to be intellectually curious and their studies are supported by a range of societies and clubs, from marketing society to the Taylor Swift society.

info@bwcet.com

Telephone

0191 384 8575

Website

stleonardsdurham.bwcet.com

Address

North End, Durham, DH1 4NG

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