Photo: Jonathan Thacker · CC BY-SA 2.0Startforth’s state schools are in the top tenth: better results than 98% of towns in England
78% of Startforth’s primary pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, above both County Durham’s towns (62%) and towns in England (62%). No state-funded school is located inside Startforth’s built-up area. Startforth grades A+ for schools, on Department for Education Key Stage 2 and GCSE results. Ofsted is shown, not graded.
Town figures are pupil-weighted across the schools the grade uses; England’s are the average school.
Startforth grades A+ for schools
Against every town in England with results; Wales publishes none.
Startforth has no primaries of its own with KS2 results, so the primary figure uses the 3 graded primaries in and within 3 km of the town (219 pupils in results). Startforth has no secondaries of its own with GCSE results, so the secondary figure uses the 1 graded secondary in and within 3 km of the town (110 pupils in results). Mainstream state schools only (grammar schools included); special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19 colleges are listed below but not graded. Each school’s results are compared with every school in England, then weighted by its pupils.
How school places work in Startforth
County Durham Council handles school applications for families in Startforth. You apply to the council where you live, even for a school in another area.
When a school is full
Every school publishes its admissions rules. Children in care come first, then, at most schools, brothers and sisters of current pupils, then those who live nearest. Infant classes are limited to 30 by law. If you’re refused a place, you can appeal to an independent panel.
Useful: Apply for a primary place (GOV.UK) · Apply for a secondary place (GOV.UK) · How admissions criteria work
0 state schools in Startforth
Each school’s own letter compares its results with every state school in England of the same phase: Key Stage 2 for primaries, GCSEs for secondaries. Open a school for its results, how its letter is worked out, Ofsted and a map.
Key result: Attainment 8 and grade 5+ English and maths (GCSEs, 2025/26 provisional) for secondaries; the share meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (KS2, DfE’s three-year average) for primaries. Pupils: the January 2026 school census. No letter: an infant or first school (no KS2 tests), a new school, a small cohort DfE suppresses, or a special school, nursery or college. Independent schools aren’t included.
Startforth and the places around it
Coloured by School Grade.
| Town | Schools | KS2 | Att. 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startforth 0 schools | A+ | 78% | 57 |
| Barnard Castle 4 schools · uses schools within 3 km · 0.7 mi | A+ | 78% | 57 |
| Staindrop 2 schools · uses schools within 3 km · 5.8 mi | A | 87% | 47.7 |
| Cockfield 1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 7 mi | B+ | 65% | — |
| Gainford 1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 7.9 mi | D− | 48% | — |
| Evenwood 2 schools · 8.9 mi | A+ | 80% | — |
| West Auckland 2 schools · uses schools within 3 km · 10.5 mi | D | 40% | 42.4 |
| Toft Hill and High Etherley 1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 10.5 mi | C− | 56% | 42.4 |
Evenwood has the best-graded schools nearby (A+). Small places often use the schools within 3 km, so neighbours can share schools.
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Expected standard at Key Stage 2. The share of 11-year-olds who reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths together, in tests and teacher assessment at the end of primary school. We use DfE’s three-year average (2023–2025) to steady small schools.
- Higher standard. The share working at greater depth in all three.
- Attainment 8. A pupil’s GCSE grades across eight subjects, with English and maths counted twice, added up. 50 is roughly a grade 5 in every subject.
- Grade 5+ in English and maths. A strong pass in both. Grade 4 is a standard pass.
- Provisional. 2025/26 GCSE figures are DfE’s first release; revised figures follow in February, usually within a point.
- Progress 8. Not shown: there is none for 2025/26, because these pupils sat no KS2 tests in 2020 (Covid).
- Free school meals. Pupils eligible for free school meals now, from the January census: the usual measure of how many pupils come from low-income homes.
- Independent schools. Not included: they publish no results comparable with state schools’.
Questions about schools in Startforth
Are schools in Startforth good?
Startforth’s state schools earn an A+ against schools across England: primary results beat 98% of towns in England; secondary results beat 96% of towns in England, on Department for Education Key Stage 2 and GCSE results. School places are handled by County Durham council.
How do I apply for a school place in Startforth?
Through County Durham Council, for every state school including academies. Secondary applications close on 31 October (offers 1 March); primary on 15 January (offers 16 April).
How many state schools are in Startforth?
0 open state-funded schools are located in Startforth’s built-up area: 0 primary, 0 secondary and 0 other (special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19). Independent schools aren’t included.
Sources: DfE Get Information about Schools (16 October 2026), Key Stage 2 performance tables (2023–2025, three-year average) and Key Stage 4 (2025/26, provisional); Ofsted state-funded school inspections as at 30 September 2026 · DfE Get Information about Schools (16 October 2026), further-education and sixth-form colleges · TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.