Hardworking students at St Leonard's Catholic School in Durham are celebrating a record-cracking set of results after their school was plunged into crisis by crumbling concrete. 

A year ago, the secondary school was completely closed when RAAC was discovered in the main school building, with lessons carried out online and in temporary classrooms. 

But despite this adversity, around 25 percent of all grades were 9-8 and 90 percent were 9-4.

The school says that with this level of achievement, they are "confident" the institution will remain amongst the highest-performing schools in the North East. 

(Image: St Leonard's)

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Students at the school were forced to undertake lessons remotely and in alternative venues after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found in the school building.

A report by academics in January called for pupils at schools where teaching has been badly affected by the RAAC crisis – such as St Leonard’s Catholic School – to have their exam results lifted by up to 10 per cent.

Made with Flourish

However, a one-off dispensation has not been granted to all pupils in exam years who faced disruption to their learning and teaching due to RAAC.

The students were taught in various locations throughout the year, including an office building in a nearby town, a “non-soundproof” converted sports hall on the school grounds, and a conference room at the Radisson Hotel in Durham, in which several lessons took place concurrently, parents have said. 

(Image: GOOGLE)

A spokesperson for the school said: "Against the backdrop of RAAC and the fact no student received any extra concession toward their exams, these results are truly remarkable.

"This period of time has really pulled the whole community together. Well done to everyone! 

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(Image: St Leonard's)

"Huge credit must go to our wonderful and extremely hard-working students, dedicated and committed staff, who have gone the extra mile and beyond.

"Our parents have been exceptionally supportive and caring.

"And finally the team at Bishop Wilkinson Trust and the Department for Education who have worked with us daily during RAAC and now on our exciting new build ready for Easter 2026."