SchoolScoresSt Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of BISHOP CHADWICK CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Westway, Peterlee, SR8 1DE
0191 587 6220 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 8 February 2017. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 14 June 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
152 pupils in this year group.
42% — about the same as the County Durham average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 42% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 44.5 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.9 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
121 pupils in this year group.
87% — 2 points below the County Durham average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 87% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 32% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 45% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 87% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
26 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 11% | 30% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 34% | 60% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 28.6 | 35.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
12 subjects, 64 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | 8 | 0% | 38% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 8 | 0% | 13% | 40% |
| Psychology | 8 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Biology | 6 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 6 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| English Literature | 6 | 17% | 33% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: History, Art and Design (Fine Art), Chemistry, Physics, Religious Studies, Spanish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
38 students in this year group.
79% — 3 points above the County Durham average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 79% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 13% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 3% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 79% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
51 students in this year group.
76% — 26 points above the County Durham average, and 16 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 76% | 50% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 27% | 18% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 72% | 76% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in County Durham. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 107 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 103 |
| Of those, offered a place | 103 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 267 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 36.2% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.6% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.6% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.0% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Lower than 31% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Lower than 24% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 28.8% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Lower than 7% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 67.8 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Lower than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.6% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded14 pupils | 1.49% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 35% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.1 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 79% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.2 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Peterlee. Higher than 52% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6% | 10.4%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Academy at Shotton Hall 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Open Air Education 0.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Dene Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Easington Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wellfield School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018, before conversion) · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College's Ofsted rating?
St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 February 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 14 June 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 42% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points below the England average of 45%.
Is St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 103 families put St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College as their first choice for 107 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 103 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 148304.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.