SchoolScoresSt Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Consett Road, Lanchester, Durham, DH7 0RD
01207 520424 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 17 March 2026 , published 13 May 2026.
In short: 7 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
258 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
County Durham comparisons use the 6 of its 31 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 25 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 17% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 72% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 18% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 76% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 23% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 68% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 85 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 17% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 29% | 32% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 234 parents who had raised a concern 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 19% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 63% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 99 parents of children with SEND 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 9% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 31% | 44% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in County Durham. Higher than 16% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 60%said yes | 72% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 21%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. County Durham figures pool parents at the County Durham schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
224 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. | 44.9 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 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.
245 pupils in this year group.
95% — 6 points above the County Durham average, and 3 points above 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. | 95% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 45% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 38% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 95% |
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
61 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 | 20% | 30% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 45% | 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. | 32.9 | 35.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
18 subjects, 155 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 18 | 17% | 44% | 40% |
| Psychology | 16 | 6% | 13% | 19% |
| Business Studies:Single | 13 | 23% | 31% | 16% |
| Geography | 13 | 0% | 8% | 23% |
| Biology | 12 | 8% | 25% | 27% |
| History | 12 | 0% | 17% | 23% |
| English Literature | 10 | 0% | 10% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 9 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Physics | 9 | 0% | 44% | 31% |
| Religious Studies | 9 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| English Language | 7 | 0% | 14% | 13% |
| Sociology | 7 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 6 | 0% | 33% | 59% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Music, Spanish, Computer Studies / Computing, French.
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.
81 students in this year group.
90% — 14 points above the County Durham average, and 11 points above 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. | 90% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 21% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 90% |
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.
94 students in this year group.
71% — 21 points above the County Durham average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 71% | 50% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 23% | 18% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 75% | 71% |
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 | 221 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 205 |
| Of those, offered a place | 205 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 409 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.7% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.0% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.4% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Durham. Lower than 46% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Durham. Lower than 64% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.7% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Lower than 39% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.3 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Lower than 51% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.08% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 29% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.8 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Durham. Higher than 64% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester's Ofsted rating?
St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 17 March 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 7 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester 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%.
Would parents recommend St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester?
60% of the 258 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 205 families put St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester as their first choice for 221 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 205 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 138172.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 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.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.