[1] Durham High School was  judged as "Excellent" across all areas by the latest inspection carried out by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in October 2022.

The report highlighted pupils' "excellent" progress and achievement, their "outstanding" attitudes to learning and their "strong moral awareness".

[2] The school is a Church of England foundation, whose current Headmistress is Michelle Hill.

Academic results are higher than average, even for the independent sector.

At A Level 69.4% of the entries achieved A* or A.  Pupils invariably obtain a place at the University of their choice, including Oxford and Cambridge, and other Russell Group universities.