Durham Johnston Comprehensive School, based in Durham, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a community school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.

Durham Johnston Comprehensive School currently has around 1688 pupils on roll, which is about 99% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 50.7% boys and 49.3% girls. Around 15.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 6.8%. Persistent absence is recorded at 16.2%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (74.2%).

Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

Around 95% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (89%) , including 61% who stay in school sixth forms and 28% progressing to further education , while 6% enter apprenticeships .

School Information

Address: Crossgate Moor, Durham, DH1 4SU
Website: www.durhamjohnston.org.uk
Telephone: 01913843887
School Type: Community school
Education phase: Secondary
Local authority: County Durham
Headteacher / Principal: Mrs Rosslyn McFadden
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Unique reference: 114312

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 04/02/2025

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 11 - 18
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 1700
Number of Pupils: 1688
Number of Boys: 855
Number of Girls: 833

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 6.8% 4%
Persistent absence: 16.2% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British74.20%1253
Other White5.30%90
White and Asian3.20%54
Chinese3.00%51
African2.30%38
Indian2.00%33
Other Mixed1.80%30
Pakistani1.50%26
Other Asian1.50%25
Other (any other ethnic group)1.50%25
Unclassified1.10%19
White and Black African1.00%17
Irish0.60%10
White and Black Caribbean0.30%5
Bangladeshi0.30%5
Caribbean0.30%5
Other Black0.10%2
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8: Above average (0.26)
Of the 265 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in this school, 256 are included in this measure.
Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
0.26
Town average
0.08
Local authority average
0.10
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
26%
Town average
44%
Local authority average
37%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
63%
Town average
48%
Local authority average
45%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
55.1
Town average
49.8
Local authority average
50.2
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
4.8
Town average
4.3
Local authority average
4.4
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School
95%

Nearby Schools

Nursery

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Gilesgate Nursery School
Ellis Leazes , DH1 1JJ
- not rated 2,184 yd Local authority nursery school Not Applicable Boys More About School
Newton Hall Nursery School
Priory Road , Newton Hall DH1 5HW
- not rated 2,341 yd Local authority nursery school Not Applicable Not applicable More About School
Langley Moor Nursery School
Brandon Lane , Langley Moor DH7 8LL
4out of 4 2,618 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Neville's Cross Primary School and Nursery
Relly Path , Neville's Cross DH1 4JG
3out of 4 923 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
Crossgate Peth , DH1 4QB
3out of 4 1,113 yd Voluntary controlled school No Mixed More About School
St Oswald's Church of England Aided Primary and Nursery School
Church Street , DH1 3DQ
3out of 4 1,996 yd Voluntary aided school Yes Mixed More About School
Framwellgate Moor Junior School
Newton Drive , Framwellgate Moor DH1 5BG
- not rated 2,169 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Framwellgate Moor Infant School
Newton Drive , Framwellgate Moor DH1 5BG
- not rated 2,169 yd Community school No Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
Crossgate Moor , DH1 4SU
- not rated 0 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham
North End , DH1 4NG
- not rated 833 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
St Leonard's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Comprehensive School
North End , DH1 4NG
- not rated 833 yd Voluntary aided school No Mixed More About School
Framwellgate School Durham
Newton Drive , Framwellgate Moor DH1 5BQ
- not rated 2,287 yd Academy converter Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Framwellgate School Durham
Newton Drive , Framwellgate Moor DH1 5BQ
- not rated 2,287 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

16 plus

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Durham Sixth Form Centre
Providence Row , The Sands DH1 1SG
- not rated 1,632 yd Academy 16-19 converter No Mixed More About School
Durham Sixth Form Centre
Providence Row , The Sands DH1 1SG
- not rated 1,632 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
New College Durham
Framwellgate Moor Centre , Framwellgate Moor DH1 5ES
- not rated 1,980 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Durham College of Agriculture and Horticulture
Houghall , DH1 3SG
- not rated 2,976 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Dunholme School
Aykley Heads , DH1 5TS
- not rated 1,258 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
South View School
Aykley Heads , DH1 5TS
- not rated 1,258 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Aykley Heads Centre
Aykley Heads , DH1 5TS
- not rated 1,258 yd Miscellaneous Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation
Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation , Quarryheads Lane DH1 4SZ
- not rated 1,376 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School
Durham Trinity School & Sports College
Dunholme Close , Aykley Heads DH1 5WB
3out of 4 1,534 yd Community special school Yes Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.