This school has been named one of the best in the country for educational progress, according to new data.
Durham School on Quarryheads Lane has been classed as 'well above average' by the Department for Education in its annual assessment.
The assessment looks at the additional impact teaching has on a pupil's grades by the end of their A-levels.
Established more than 600 years, the independent Durham city school received a progress score of 0.39, compared with a national average for English state-funded schools of -0.02.
The results mean the school is the highest ranked co-educational day and boarding school in the region; as well as being in the top 9% of all independent schools in the country.
Headmaster Kieran McLaughlin said: "We have a clear strategy for success at Durham School – the ‘three pillars’ - which create an environment where pupils can explore, make mistakes, learn and grow.
“We focus on ‘Academic Challenge’ which gives students a lifelong appetite for learning; ‘Pastoral Care’ to provide our students with emotional, moral and spiritual strength; and, ‘Co-curricular Opportunities’ which enrich and develop the individual, and foster leadership, collaboration and teamwork.”
Mr McLaughlin said the focus is often on league tables that favour highly selective institutions.
He added: "This latest data recognises those schools where all children of all abilities succeed because of the specific teaching expertise and support that schools like Durham provide.”
