Schools in County Durham
Choose a postcode district for school lists, Ofsted, distance filters, an interactive map, and local area statistics.
20 postcode districts in County Durham. 253 state-funded schools listed. Plus 12 independent schools (fee-paying and special, labelled on cards).
Using School Checker in County Durham
This page lists 20 postcode districts in County Durham. School Checker groups schools by outward postcode (for example WF2 or N1), not by parish or ward. Open a district to see every school we list, state-funded and independent, with Ofsted, attainment, attendance, and local context on one screen.
Across County Durham we currently show 253 state-funded schools in 20 districts (203 primary, 29 secondary, 21 other phase). We also list 5 independent (fees usually apply) and 7 independent special (usually LA-funded). These figures come from official government school data and we update them regularly.
Districts with the most schools in County Durham right now include DL14 (25 schools), DH1 (23 schools), DH7 (23 schools). Smaller outward codes can still be useful if you are comparing streets near a boundary.
County Durham runs state school admissions for its area. Rules, catchment definitions, and tie-breakers are set locally and can change each year.
- 203Primary
- 29Secondary
- 21Other
- 20Districts with schools
Postcode districts in County Durham
Click a postcode district to open schools, map, distance filters, and local stats. Each card is one area and the whole card is clickable.
- DH1DH1 postcode districtView schools
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Aykley Heads, Belmont, City Of Durham, Elvet, Framwellgate & Newton Hall, Framwellgate Moor, and 8 more areas
- DH2DH2 postcode districtView schools
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Nettlesworth, Ouston, and Pelton
- DH6DH6 postcode districtView schools
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Cassop-cum-quarrington, Coxhoe, Kelloe, Ludworth, Pittington, Shadforth, and 4 more areas
- DH7DH7 postcode districtView schools
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Bearpark, Brandon, Burnhope, Edmondsley, Esh, Esh Winning, and 6 more areas
- DH8DH8 postcode districtView schools
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Benfieldside, Blackhill, Castleside, Derwent & Pont Valley, Ebchester, Healeyfield, and 5 more areas
- DH9DH9 postcode districtView schools
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Annfield Plain, Beamish, Catchgate, Craghead, Derwent & Pont Valley, Dipton, and 6 more areas
- DL12DL12 postcode districtView schools
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Barnard Castle, Bowes, Cotherstone, Marwood, Middleton In Teesdale, and Middleton-in-teesdale
- DL13DL13 postcode districtView schools
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Attlee Estate, Butterknowle, Cockfield, Frosterley, Hamsterley, St John's Chapel, and 5 more areas
- DL14DL14 postcode districtView schools
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Bishop Auckland, Coundon, Coundon Grange, Dene Valley, Escomb, Etherley, and 7 more areas
- DL15DL15 postcode districtView schools
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Crook, Greater Willington, Howden-le-wear, Hunwick, Stanley Crook, Willington, and 1 more area
- DL16DL16 postcode districtView schools
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Byers Green, Kirk Merrington, Spennymoor, and Tudhoe Colliery
- DL17DL17 postcode districtView schools
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Bishop Middleham, Chilton, Cornforth, Ferryhill, Off New South View, and West Cornforth
- DL4DL4 postcode districtView schools
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Shildon
- DL5DL5 postcode districtView schools
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Aycliffe Business Park, Aycliffe Village, Durham, Great Aycliffe, Heighington, and Newton Aycliffe Business Park
- SR7SR7 postcode districtView schools
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Deneside, Murton, Seaham, Seaham Harbour, and Westlea Estate
- SR8SR8 postcode districtView schools
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Castle Eden Dene Nnr, Easington Colliery, Easington Village, Hall Walk, Horden, and Peterlee
- TS21TS21 postcode districtView schools
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Bishopton, Fishburn, Long Newton, Longnewton, Sedgefield, and Stillington
- TS27TS27 postcode districtView schools
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Blackhall Colliery, Dalton Piercy, Elwick, Hart, Hart Village, and Monk Hesleden
- TS28TS28 postcode districtView schools
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Wingate
- TS29TS29 postcode districtView schools
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Trimdon, Trimdon Foundry, and Trimdon Village
Common questions about schools in County Durham
- How many schools does School Checker list in County Durham?
- We list 253 state-funded schools across 20 postcode districts in County Durham (203 primary, 29 secondary, 21 other phase). Plus 12 independent schools (fee-paying and independent special, labelled on each card). Counts change when schools open, close, or change phase.
- How do school admissions work in County Durham?
- County Durham runs state school admissions for its area. Rules, catchment definitions, and tie-breakers are set locally and can change each year. School Checker shows historic demand indicators on school cards where published. They are not a guarantee of a place. Always read the County Durham admissions booklet and each school's oversubscription criteria.
- What is a postcode district on this page?
- A postcode district is the outward part of a postcode (the letters and numbers before the space, such as WF2). County Durham is split into 20 districts on School Checker. Each district page lists schools whose postcode falls in that outward code, plus distance from your home postcode when you add one.
- How should I use School Checker to research schools in County Durham?
- Start with the district closest to your home (busy districts here include DL14 (25 schools), DH1 (23 schools), DH7 (23 schools)). Add your full postcode on the district page for straight-line distances and map pins. Shortlist schools you like, then open Compare for side-by-side figures and a CSV download. Visit schools and confirm admissions rules with County Durham before you apply.
- Where does the data for County Durham schools come from?
- School names, addresses, and governance come from the government school register. Ofsted publishes inspection outcomes. The Department for Education publishes attendance, attainment, pupil characteristics, and SEN figures. Local context rows (crime, census, house prices) are labelled by geography on each district page. See our methodology page for more detail and how to report a likely error with a school URN.