Best Secondary Schools in Tyne and Wear

Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy is a mixed secondary school in Birtley, Gateshead. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and a Good rating from Ofsted, it provides a high-quality education for students aged 11-18. The school offers a supportive environment for personal development and has a strong emphasis on academic achievement, with 35% of students achieving Grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs. The academy also has a successful sixth form program, with 5.60% of students achieving AAB or higher in A-levels.

Excelsior Academy is an all-through school located in Newcastle upon Tyne, offering a comprehensive education for students aged 3-19. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, we prioritize individual attention and support. Our school values personal development and good behavior, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment. We have excellent resources and a dedicated teaching staff. While our recent Ofsted report indicates areas for improvement, our sixth-form provision is highly regarded. Our exam results show steady progress, with notable achievements in mathematics and reading. Excelsior Academy is committed to providing a well-rounded education for every student.

Kenton School is a co-ed secondary school in Newcastle upon Tyne. With a student teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides a supportive environment for students aged 11-18. Offering a wide range of resources and a good leadership and management structure, Kenton School aims to promote personal development alongside academic achievement. While the overall effectiveness of the school requires improvement, the school's sixth-form provision is rated as good. Exam results demonstrate that 31% of students achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs, while 4.10% achieved AAB or higher at A-level.

St Joseph's Catholic Academy is a Roman Catholic secondary school located in South Tyneside, North East. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 and a focus on respect and cooperation, the school provides an engaging and stimulating learning environment. The school has a good Ofsted rating, offering a quality education with a strong emphasis on behavior, personal development, and leadership. With a dedicated staff and a commitment to cultivating students' skills and abilities, St Joseph's Catholic Academy aims to empower students for success both academically and beyond.

Walker Riverside Academy is a co-ed secondary school located in Newcastle upon Tyne. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, our dedicated staff provide a supportive learning environment. We offer a wide range of resources and have received an A+ rating. Our students have achieved good results in exams, with 24% attaining grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs. We also have a thriving sixth-form, providing excellent A-level results. Our school promotes good behavior and personal development, ensuring a positive educational experience for all.

Red House Academy is a secondary school located in Sunderland, North East. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides a supportive and focused learning environment for its 370 students. The school's overall effectiveness is rated as Good by Ofsted, with strong performance in academics, behaviour, and personal development. With a focus on individual support, Red House Academy ensures that students with Special Educational Needs receive the necessary assistance. The school's commitment to safety and resources ensures a conducive learning environment for all students.

Benfield School, located in Newcastle upon Tyne, is a co-ed secondary school with a student population of 1046. With a student teacher ratio of 18:1, the school provides individualized attention to students. The school's focus on personal development and its excellent resources make it an ideal choice for parents looking for a supportive and enriching educational environment for their children.

Washington Academy is a co-educational secondary school located in Sunderland, North East. With a student teacher ratio of 15:1 and a total size of 900 students, the school provides a supportive learning environment for students aged 11-16. The school offers a range of resources and support for students with SEN, including those with Moderate Learning Difficulties. While the school's overall grade requires improvement, it has shown good leadership and management, with a focus on personal development. The school has a 10.1% student absence rate and a 2.70% English not 1st Language rate.

St Cuthbert's High School is a Roman Catholic boys' secondary school located in Newcastle upon Tyne. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school provides a stimulating and inclusive educational environment. Despite requiring improvement in some areas according to the latest Ofsted report, the school offers a strong emphasis on character development, resulting in confident and considerate young men. Achieving an average grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs by 54% of students, St Cuthbert's High School focuses on academic excellence while nurturing personal growth and leadership skills.

Christ's College is an all-through co-ed school located in Sunderland. With a student teacher ratio of 16:1, the school provides individual attention to students aged 4-18. Despite its overall grade of Requires Improvement, the school focuses on personal development and offers SEN support for 15.3% of students. The school achieved a 49% pass rate in English & maths GCSEs and aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment for its 636 students.

Talbot House Trust is an all-through school in Newcastle upon Tyne, providing a safe and nurturing learning environment for students aged 5-18. With a highly ambitious new headteacher and support from the trust, the school focuses on pupil well-being and mental health. While there have been staffing challenges, the school maintains positive relationships between staff and students. However, there are areas for improvement in teaching quality and matching teaching to pupil needs. Overall, the school strives to provide a supportive and inclusive education for its students.

Sir Charles Parsons School is an outstanding secondary school located in Newcastle upon Tyne. With a student teacher ratio of 7:1, the school provides individualized attention to students aged 11-19. The school offers a highly responsive curriculum, focusing on developing writing skills across various subjects. With an outstanding grade in all aspects, including achievement, teaching, and behavior, the school ensures the safety and well-being of its students. Although the needs of most-able pupils are not always fully met, the school's dedicated leadership team and committed governance make it an excellent choice for parents seeking a high-quality education for their children.

Dryden School is an outstanding secondary school located in Gateshead, North East. With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, our dedicated staff ensure that every student receives individualized support and develops the confidence to thrive academically and personally. Our exceptional leadership and management, along with outstanding achievement and teaching, make Dryden School an excellent choice for parents looking for a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

Woodlawn School is an all-through school located in West Monkseaton, North Tyneside. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, the school provides individualized attention to its students. The school offers a well-rounded education with a curriculum adapted to meet the needs and interests of all students. Woodlawn School is known for its strong and inspirational leadership, outstanding behaviour, and excellent outcomes for pupils. It has a good overall effectiveness rating by Ofsted and is supported by the local authority.

Beacon Hill School is an all-through co-ed school located in North Tyneside. With a low student-teacher ratio of 5:1, the school provides personalized attention to its students. It offers nursery classes and has a sixth form. The school has a good overall effectiveness, with outstanding outcomes for pupils. Its excellent resources and commitment to safety ensure a conducive learning environment for students with diverse needs, including those with ASD, SLD, and PMLD. Parents can trust Beacon Hill School to provide a quality education and support their child's personal development.

Valley Gardens Middle School is an outstanding school in North Tyneside, providing a high-quality education for students aged 9-13. With a student-teacher ratio of 22:1, our dedicated staff ensures each child receives individualized attention. Our exceptional academics, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to student safety create a supportive learning environment. We prioritize the development of every student, offering a wide range of extracurricular activities to enhance their talents and abilities. With impressive exam results and a reputation for excellence, Valley Gardens Middle School offers a comprehensive and well-rounded education that prepares students for future success.

Keelman's Way School is an all-through school located in South Tyneside, North East. With a positive ethos promoting the well-being of pupils and enthusiastic and compassionate staff, the school offers a good quality of education. Pupils make progress academically, socially, and in terms of life skills, while benefiting from an effective safeguarding culture. The school also provides a broad and balanced curriculum, ensuring a holistic learning experience for students.

Hill Top School is a secondary school located in Gateshead, North East England. With a student teacher ratio of 7:1 and a gender-inclusive environment, the school provides a supportive and engaging learning experience for students aged 11-19. The dedicated leadership and effective safeguarding ensure a safe and nurturing environment for all. The school places a strong emphasis on preparing students for adulthood through a well-rounded curriculum. Although there are areas for improvement, such as the overall quality of teaching and curriculum development for special educational needs students, Hill Top School is praised for its good overall effectiveness and achievement of pupils. With a B- grade from Snobe and positive Ofsted reports, Hill Top School is committed to providing a quality education for all students.

Moorbridge is a good secondary school in Shiremoor, North Tyneside. With a dedicated leadership team and high aspirations for pupils, students thrive both academically and socially. Although attendance and reading culture need improvement, the school provides a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

Portland Academy is a secondary school located in Sunderland, North East England. With a focus on providing care and support for students with severe learning difficulties, the school offers an inclusive and nurturing environment. Boasting a low student-teacher ratio of 6:1, Portland Academy ensures personalized attention and tailored education. The school prides itself on its outstanding behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. With access to top-notch facilities and a progressive curriculum, Portland Academy strives to enrich the lives of its students and promote optimum learning.