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#1 in Best Secondary Schools in Durham

Durham Johnston Comprehensive School - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)

Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
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Overall Ò¹À´ÏãÑо¿Ëù Grade
Leadership and management Outstanding
Sixth-form provision Outstanding
Achievement of pupils Outstanding
Quality of teaching Outstanding
Behaviour and safety of pupils Outstanding
Quick insights from ofsted Powered by AI

This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.

Academic Progress: Students make accelerated progress in Key Stages 3 and 4, achieving significantly higher standards than the national average.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Students are polite, courteous, well-mannered, and maintain excellent attitudes towards learning.
Qualifications and Training: Teachers use their deep knowledge about their students and subject knowledge effectively to adapt teaching approaches.
Current Educational Practices: The leadership of teaching and learning is a particular strength of the school.
Strengths and Challenges: Exemplary practice in most subjects not always shared across the school.
Opportunities for Involvement: The school offers numerous activities and events for all to engage in.
Communication: Parents receive regular updates via the school's website and other communication channels.
Parent Satisfaction: Parents’ feedback indicates they are happy and satisfied with the school.
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: Conflicts and concerns from parents and students are handled vigorously and effectively.
Actions for Quality Improvement: Leaders have an unwavering focus on improving teaching and learning.
Managing Bullying and Safety: Bullying or discrimination is extremely rare and dealt with swiftly.
Promoting Welfare and Safety: The school's procedures for keeping students safe are exemplary.
Extracurricular Offerings: The school offers a vast range of stimulating and exciting activities such as sports, music, and drama clubs.
Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars: Extracurricular opportunities contribute strongly to students' spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development.
Outdoor Facilities: Student surveys are positive about outdoor facilities.
Career Counselling Services: Students receive impartial careers education and guidance effectively throughout each key stage.
Preparation for Sixth Form: The sixth form is outstanding, with students making excellent progress in all aspects of learning.
Managing and Supporting SEND: Students with special educational needs receive superb care and support, making rapid progress.
Subjects Offered: The school offers a wide range of subjects at GCSE and A-Level.
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About Us

Durham Johnston Comprehensive School is a top rated, Secondary, Co-Ed school located in County Durham, North East.

It has 1689 students from age 11-18 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 17 : 1.

At this school, 63% of pupils achieved grade 5 or more at GCSE.

94.80% of pupils completing their main study programme.

This school rated Outstanding by recent Ofsted inspection.

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Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
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From the Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
As a result of their presence in the world, "(the Durham Johnston students) will take to heart the school's motto and boldly seek for wisdom."
For a lengthy amount of time in history, Durham Johnston has played a vital role in County Durham.
It has variously served as a comprehensive school, a boys' grammar school, a mixed grammar school, and a technical school.
"Dare to be smart," or Sapere Aude, is the school's motto.
Susan Johnston, the widow of JFW Johnston, who passed away in 1855, bequeathed money to the County Council that was used to form Durham Johnston in 1901.
James Finlay Weir Johnston, a chemistry professor at Durham University, is honoured by the name of the institution.
With 13 students, the Johnston School debuted in 1901.
The present building has been criticised so frequently at annual speech days that this year's suggestion that construction should start in 1950 was greeted with cautious applause.
Prior to that, it should be noted that both former and current Johnstonians agree that the school's current name should be kept because it refers to its founder, Professor Johnston.
Thus, Christopher Storey, the third headmaster of the school, concluded his inaugural award day speech by saying: "What the future holds, no one can exactly say."
The long-awaited new building has been promised, but regardless of whether it materialises, work must and will continue; boys will continue to find knowledge and experience here as well as skills of the mind, hand, and muscle; they will take to heart the school's motto and courageously seek out wisdom; and the world will be a better place because of their presence in it and their abiding faith in the high standards of work and conduct that the school has always strived to uphold.
When the school was finally started in 1950, it was said to be "built on a 22-acre green field site at Crossgate Moor alongside the Great North Road... retaining a view of Durham Cathedral from many of the classrooms." It was also said to have good facilities for physical training that had been "so long yearned for by the masters and boys in the present school" as well as modern dining facilities.
On the occasion of the school's 50th anniversary, one of the teachers penned the following in the school newspaper, The Johnstonian: "Let us here salute the memory of our founder and pay grateful tribute to all those who helped establish the traditions of the school within the walls of the 50-year-old building that we have now outgrown, lest we seem ungrateful to him.
When the new school opened, there were 34 boys in the sixth form, and Headmaster Storey's wish came true: "Now is the winter of our discontent made lovely summer!"
Additionally, the name of our founding father will continue to appear in the name "The Johnston Grammar Technical School."
School in Durham Johnston nowadays is significantly different.
The current Durham Johnston neighbourhood was developed following the abolition of grammar schools in County Durham in 1979.
Years 7 and 8 were located at Whinney Hill, while grades 9 through upper sixth were housed in the Grammar School facilities. Durham Johnston Comprehensive School operated as a split-site school for 30 years. (Durham County Council proposed in 1982 to shut down the sixth forms at Gilesgate, Framwellgate Moor, and the school and build a sixth form college on the Wearside site.
Planning blight was brought about by succeeding years and governments, and dreams were again postponed until the school buildings had advanced stages of decay.
However, it was renovated between 2006 and 2009 thanks to the efforts of Headteacher Richard Bloodworth (1999–2004) and Chair of Governors Roberta Blackman–Woods (now an MP for the City of Durham).
In a meeting and open consultation held in February 2010, Gordon Brown's Labour Cabinet praised the school for its dedication to academic success, social fairness, and the future of the world.
It was the first comprehensive school to be accepted into the Financial Times' top 1,000 schools in October 1998. It also frequently appears in the Sunday Times Parent Power survey and is the top-performing school in England's North East.
The Durham Johnston school community raised money in 2011 to relocate and rededicate the school's war memorial, which honours 111 heroes.
In memory of the 36 former pupils and one teacher who lost their lives in the Great War, Mr. Whalley suggested building a memorial.
It served as a monument in memory of the 37 former pupils who lost their lives in the Great War.
Two teachers returned to the school after the war, Mr Hutchinson and Mr Dent, and a third, Mr Cousins, returned, but retired, due to war related stress, in 1921. '
Subscriptions from parents, former and current school employees, and students helped erect the memorial.
It comprises of a light oak mural panelling with a classic design, as well as a remembrance desk and some matching seats.
On the memorial desk is a brass inscription plate on which is engraved: 'A tribute from the boys of 19181920 to the Johnstonians who served and fell in the war, 19141918.
' The memorial has been erected in the school assembly hall and will daily remind the boys of the patriotism and self-sacrifices of Johnstonians during the dark days of the war.'.
A large number of former Johnstonians were involved in World War II with a significant number losing their lives.
Two new panels were commissioned for the war memorial and money was, again, raised from contributions.
The memorial was removed in July 1954 and placed upon the left wall in the new school hall.
It remained in place until the spring term of 2009, when it was removed and stored in preparation to be rededicated in the new Durham Johnston school hall.
It was reinstalled in the third building and dedicated in March 2011 in recognition of the 90th anniversary of Johnston, with students and members of the local community raising the money for the initial memorial.
A new plaque has been installed with a quotation from the Proverbs to acknowledge money raised by the current students.
When senior teschers explained that they intended to raise money to relocate the memorial one of the school's Year 7 students, Rachel Scrivens, chose to volunteer the first pound raised.
A tradition was established after 1948 that fresh flowers would always be put next to the memorial during term time and that a British Legion wreath of Flanders poppies would be placed next to the memorial on Remembrance Day.
Each year the current students and staff observe a minute's silence in the Atrium of the new building and the school has completed a significant amount of research into the lives of the men named on the war memorial.
Notable on the war memorial is Captain Isidore Newman, an old boy of the school and linguist who was attached to the SOE during the second world war.
Durham Johnston has a long history and has been located on an important historical site since the 1950s.
Johnstonian Names Some areas in the new building are named after James Finlay Weir Johnston (17961855) who bequeathed money to set up a school for girls and boys, teaching science and the arts to ordinary young people of Durham, rich or poor.
Battlefield NamesSome of the areas are named after the great battle of Neville's Cross which was fought on the site in 1346.
It was between the English and the Scots: the English won, but the school has a long tradition of employing Scottish teachers and JFW Johnston was also of Scottish descent.
The ground floor of the 2-storey block is David Street, named after the defeated Scottish king.
The ground floor of the 3-storey block is Edward Street, named after the victorious English king, though he was not at the battle.
She was the English queen, much more involved in the battle than Edward.
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Current Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
City of Durham DH1 4SU
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Dudley DY8 1QX Verified
Phase of Education Secondary Secondary
Type Local Authority Maintained Schools Local Authority Maintained Schools
Ò¹À´ÏãÑо¿Ëù grade
A
B
Ofset report Outstanding Good
Age range 11-18 11-18
Gender Co-Ed Co-Ed
Student teacher ratio 17.1 -
Proficient Math - -
Proficient Read - -
Grade 5 or above GCSE 63% 63%
Grade 5 or above A Level 27.00% 11.60%
Day Fees - -
See more details
Durham Johnston Comprehensive School Reviews
5 (1 review)
Excellent school. Two of my kids have studied there. They get exemplary education and the confidence to compete in the society. My eldest son has got Excellent marks in GCSE and 6th form and has now received 3 out of 4 Medical School Interview offer. I will recommend this school to everyone .
Secondary Exam Result

Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.

School scores School Description
Progress 8 score 0.26 This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4.
Attainment 8 score 55.1 Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications.

Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.

GCSE Results School LA England
Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 63% 29.65% 30.03%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 75% 44% 43.07%

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.

EBacc Results School LA England
Entering EBacc 26% 22.49% 25.06%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 20% 11.14% 10.91%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 22% 15.74% 15.51%
EBacc average points score 4.76 2.91 2.83

Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.

Pupil destinations School LA England
Pupils staying in education or employment 95% 89.44% 90.53%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 262 134 144
Pupils staying in education 90% 79.67% 84.16%
Further education college or other further education provider 22% 42.56% 32.73%
School sixth forms 68% 26.44% 29.8%
Sixth form colleges SP 3.14% 10.22%
Other education destinations SP 7.56% 11.43%
Pupils in apprenticeships 3% 4.92% 2.8%
Pupils staying in employment 2% 4.97% 3.59%

Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.

School scores School Description
Progress 8 score 0.15 This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4.
Attainment 8 score 57.4 Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications.

Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.

GCSE Results School LA England
Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 65% 32.63% 32.85%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 79% 46.6% 45.33%

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.

EBacc Results School LA England
Entering EBacc 31% 19.28% 24.94%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 23% 11.67% 13.02%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 27% 15.28% 17.19%
EBacc average points score 5 3.03 2.97

Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.

Pupil destinations School LA England
Pupils staying in education or employment 97% 85.89% 90.4%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 265 128 141
Pupils staying in education 90% 79.83% 86.29%
Further education college or other further education provider 29% 44.89% 34.03%
School sixth forms 61% 28.29% 30.82%
Sixth form colleges SP 3.37% 10.38%
Other education destinations SP 3.43% 11.08%
Pupils in apprenticeships 5% 2.94% 1.99%
Pupils staying in employment 2% 3% 2.13%

Exam Result Not Published

Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.

Exam Result Not Published

Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.

Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.

School scores School Description
Progress 8 score 0.18 This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4.
Attainment 8 score 55.9 Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications.

Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.

GCSE Results School LA England
Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 64% 2 26% 29.3%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 78% 7 39.28% 43.41%

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.

EBacc Results School LA England
Entering EBacc 39% 19.19% 25.8%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 28% 4 8.97% 11.47%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 35% 1 12.61% 16.49%
EBacc average points score 4.96 2.5 2.88

Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.

Pupil destinations School LA England
Pupils staying in education or employment 95% 83.79% 90.2%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 237 118 135
Pupils staying in education 89% 76.5% 84.08%
Further education college or other further education provider 28% 42.96% 33.25%
School sixth forms 61% 26.04% 31.27%
Sixth form colleges 0% 2.71% 8.45%
Other education destinations 1% 4.75% 11.14%
Pupils in apprenticeships 6% 4.79% 3.4%
Pupils staying in employment 0% 2.67% 2.75%

Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.

School scores School Description
Progress 8 score 0.28 This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4.
Attainment 8 score 56.9 Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications.

Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.

GCSE Results School LA England
Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 66% 8 25.21% 29.22%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 85% 9 37.27% 42.62%

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.

EBacc Results School LA England
Entering EBacc 43% 18.24% 24.73%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 32% 2 8.94% 11.33%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 36% 1 12.76% 16.01%
EBacc average points score 5.01 2.39 2.84

Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.

Pupil destinations School LA England
Pupils staying in education or employment 98% 82.23% 84.87%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 230 127 140
Pupils staying in education 96% 68.59% 73.88%
Further education college or other further education provider 27% 36.95% 28.31%
School sixth forms 68% 27.45% 31.6%
Sixth form colleges - 0.91% 9.08%
Other education destinations - 5.05% 5.87%
Pupils in apprenticeships - 1.91% 2.96%
Pupils staying in employment - 0.95% 2.05%

Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.

School scores School Description
Progress 8 score -0.01 This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4.
Attainment 8 score 52.8 Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications.

Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.

GCSE Results School LA England
Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 58% 20.87% 29.55%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 76% 32.1% 43.07%

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.

EBacc Results School LA England
Entering EBacc 39% 17.68% 25.25%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 34% 10.9% 14.71%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 35% 12.03% 16.26%
EBacc average points score - - -

Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.

Pupil destinations School LA England
Pupils staying in education or employment 94% 78.29% 85.29%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 232 125 145
Pupils staying in education 91% 50.9% 58.19%
Further education college or other further education provider 31% 35.67% 30.58%
School sixth forms 60% 25.71% 32.22%
Sixth form colleges - 2.48% 8.95%
Other education destinations - 2.67% 5.7%
Pupils in apprenticeships 6% 5% 4.78%
Pupils staying in employment 3% 1.95% 2.45%
A level exam result

Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.

A level Result School LA England
Average points 40.18 27.83 30.01
Average grade B - -
Average points (Best 3) 39.78 28.85 29.57
Average Grade (Best 3) B - -
AAB or higher 27.00% 12.93% 13.67%

Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.

Students destinations School LA England
Number of students 164 157 201
Students staying in education 76% 49.94% 58.58%
Students entering apprenticeships 4% 10.88% 6.08%
Students entering employment 11% 21.94% 21.16%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 4% 14.06% 9.05%

Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.

A level Result School LA England
Average points 44.45 32.81 33.41
Average grade B+ - -
Average points (Best 3) 44.01 33.85 32.47
Average Grade (Best 3) B+ - -
AAB or higher 35.8% 20.01% 17.7%

Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.

Students destinations School LA England
Number of students 178 224 248
Students staying in education 79% 52.44% 60.67%
Students entering apprenticeships 2% 9.31% 5%
Students entering employment 10% 21.13% 17.73%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 5% 15.13% 10.69%

Exam Result Not Published

Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.

Exam Result Not Published

Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.

Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.

A level Result School LA England
Average points 42.39 2 28.06 29.39
Average grade B+ - -
Average points (Best 3) 42.88 1 26.26 28.64
Average Grade (Best 3) B+ - -
AAB or higher 41.9% 14.87% 13.07%

Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.

Students destinations School LA England
Number of students 176 259 232
Students staying in education 81% 49.86% 57.31%
Students entering apprenticeships 6% 13.57% 7.77%
Students entering employment 7% 19.36% 20.99%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 4% 12.79% 8.8%

Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.

A level Result School LA England
Average points 40.70 27.89 29.03
Average grade B - -
Average points (Best 3) 41.83 1 26.72 28.82
Average Grade (Best 3) B+ - -
AAB or higher 32.3% 11.61% 13.37%

Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.

Students destinations School LA England
Number of students 4 2 3
Students staying in education 13 25.77% 31.5%
Students entering apprenticeships 3% 10.23% 5.54%
Students entering employment 8% 15% 15.81%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 6% 4.62% 4.22%

Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.

A level Result School LA England
Average points 40.92 23.03 26.73
Average grade B - -
Average points (Best 3) 42.59 24.77 27.73
Average Grade (Best 3) B+ - -
AAB or higher 33.9% 11.35% 12.64%

Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.

Students destinations School LA England
Number of students 4 2 3
Students staying in education 20 35.25% 36.26%
Students entering apprenticeships 3% 10.92% 6.37%
Students entering employment 13% 19.42% 20.03%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 6% 11.67% 4.23%
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Holidays & terms

Holidays 2024/25

Holidays Date
Autumn Half Term Holidays 28th Oct 2024 - 1st Nov 2024
Winter Holidays 23rd Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025
Spring Half Term Holidays 24th Feb 2025 - 28th Feb 2025
Spring Holidays 14th Apr 2025 - 25th Apr 2025
Summer Half Term Holidays 26th May 2025 - 30th May 2025
Summer Holidays 21st Jul 2025 - 2nd Sep 2025

Terms Dates 2024/25

Terms Dates
Autumn Term 4th Sep 2024 - 27th Oct 2024
Autumn Term-2 2nd Nov 2024 - 22nd Dec 2024
Spring Term 4th Jan 2025 - 23rd Feb 2025
Spring Term-2 1st Mar 2025 - 13th Apr 2025
Summer Term 26th Apr 2025 - 25th May 2025
Summer Term-2 31st May 2025 - 20th Jul 2025
Students Teachers
17 : 1
Student teacher ratio at Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
Local authority ratio 19 : 1

Students

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