A school in County Durham has received high praise in its latest inspection report, recognising its outstanding education and exceptional care for pupils.
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) highlighted Durham High School, located in Durham City, as a place where teamwork and friendships thrive within a ‘purposeful and calm’ learning environment. The report also commended the school’s strong leadership and the excellent academic achievements of its pupils.
The report read: “Collaborative, positive relationships between pupils and staff throughout the school community support academic success and pupils’ wellbeing.”
Teachers were praised for helping pupils ‘to develop strategies to build confidence and self-esteem.’ Inspectors said: “Relationships between staff and pupils are positive and founded on mutual respect. Staff know pupils well and support them with kindness and understanding.
Meanwhile the school was also commended for its ‘well planned careers curriculum’ and for encouraging community values in its children.
Pupils are actively encouraged to give back to others and have raised several thousands of pounds for local charities, either individually or through the school’s popular Interact Club. Initiatives range from making sweetie cones for Christmas hampers for the North East charity, Feeding Families, to selling cakes at its annual Bake Sale.
The school recently announced it was becoming co-educational and the report also highlighted the positive way the move has been introduced, with boys having started in Pre-Prep and Prep this September and Senior Boys being welcomed from September 2026.
“Leaders have carefully planned and implemented their chosen approach to moving towards introducing male pupils to the school. They have comprehensively considered the needs of all pupils in implementing this change,” it read.
In addition, the Pre-Prep was singled out for its ‘well designed curriculum’ which ‘promotes children’s learning, particularly in their communication and language skills’, while for Prep it highlighted: “Teamwork and friendships are fostered between pupils of different ages, and this contributes to each pupil’s personal development throughout the school.”
The school is currently the Sunday Times’s Independent Secondary School of the Year North East, and is owned and operated by Durham Education Limited, part of the Galaxy Global Education Group (GGEG).
Michelle Hill, Headmistress at Durham High School, said:
“The report reflects what makes Durham High School so special: our pupils are confident, thoughtful, respectful and eager to learn, and our staff work diligently to ensure every child flourishes academically, socially and personally. We’re thrilled the inspectors have recognised the strength of our school community, that our children are articulate and curious, and that we remain ambitious for the future.”
Nicholas Grenfell-Marten, Chairman of the school’s management board, said:
“We’re delighted with these excellent inspection findings, which recognise the commitment, talent and care shown by the whole school community. Durham High School continues to go from strength to strength, combining its historic values with a modern, ambitious vision for the future. We’re extremely proud of the leadership team, staff and pupils, and also of our parents who are an integral part of the school community. We thank them for their support.”
For more information and to arrange a visit to the school, families can contact admissions@durhamhighschool.com.
