The Independent Grammar School:Durham
School summary
Set in the village of Esh Winning, this small independent school in County Durham takes a deliberately intimate approach to secondary education, with around 132 pupils across its year groups. It is mixed and non-denominational, admitting children from age 11. Under Head Mr Chris Gray, the school is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate rather than Ofsted. Its modest size means classes are small and pupils are unlikely to be lost in the crowd.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Free month · No payment needed
Teaching & academics
Teaching is geared towards GCSE qualifications, giving pupils a clear academic path through to the end of Key Stage 4. The compact roll allows for close attention to individual progress, which may suit families looking for a more personal learning environment than a larger school can offer.
Head · Mr Chris Gray
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
Schools nearby
The Grange Learning Centre
Low Willington, North East
Durham High School
North East
Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation
North East
Chorister School
Durham, North East
Strawberry Lane
Bowburn, North East
Delta Independent School
Consett, North East
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small, mixed independent in the North East for families who value close attention and a tight-knit setting over scale.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
Free month · No payment needed
The Independent Grammar School:Durham 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.