Durham Academy vs Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in North East, England, 2.7 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Durham Academy
Durham · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
405 students
Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
Durham · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–18
1,667 students
| Measure | Durham Academy Durham, North East | Durham Johnston Comprehensive School Durham, North East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 15 Lower 50% | 84 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #168 of 185 | #8 of 185 |
| National rank | #3808 of 4,090 | #474 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Local authority |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 11–18 |
| Students | 405 | 1,667 |
| Pupils on roll | 405 | 1,667 |
| Free school meals | 59% | 15.6% |
| Capacity filled | 58.4% | 98.1% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 37.4 | 55.2 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 22% | 62.1% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 44% | 79.2% |
| EBacc average points | 3.11 | 4.77 |
| A level points per entry | – | 39.7 |
| town | Durham | Durham |
| region | North East | North East |
| Website | durhamacademy.org.uk/ | www.durhamjohnston.org.uk |
The verdict
- •Durham Johnston Comprehensive School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (83.9 vs 14.9).
- •Durham Johnston Comprehensive School is the larger school with 1,667 students compared with 405.
- •Durham Academy is a academy school while Durham Johnston Comprehensive School is a local authority school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Durham Academy better than Durham Johnston Comprehensive School?
On the Success Index (England), Durham Johnston Comprehensive School ranks higher (83.9 vs 14.9 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Durham Academy and Durham Johnston Comprehensive School?
About 2.7 km in a straight line, between Durham and Durham in North East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Durham Academy: 405. Durham Johnston Comprehensive School: 1,667. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Durham Academy and Durham Johnston Comprehensive School rank in North East?
Durham Academy is 168th of 185 and Durham Johnston Comprehensive School is 8th of 185 among secondary schools in North East on the 2025 Success Index (England).