Best Secondary Schools in Tyne and Wear

Merrydale Day Nursery and Pre-School is a co-ed secondary school located in Gateshead, North East. With a small school size of 250 students aged 11-16, we offer a nurturing and inclusive environment. Our dedicated staff, led by Headteacher Mark Lovatt, prioritize individualized attention and cater to diverse learning needs. We are proud to offer 15% of our students access to free school meals, ensuring that every child receives the necessary support for their educational journey.

River Tyne Academy Gateshead is a co-ed school located in Sheriff Hill, Gateshead. Founded in 2018, it offers a middle deemed secondary education for students aged 8-16. With a small student body of 103, the school provides individualized attention to its students. It has a diverse community, with 45% of students eligible for free school meals and 1.40% having English as their second language. The school takes pride in its high percentage of students receiving SEN support, ensuring that all students receive the necessary assistance to thrive academically and socially.

Northern Counties School is an all-through co-ed school located in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne. With a small school size of 120 students, it offers a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. The school provides education for students from the age of 3 to 19, with nursery classes and a sixth form. It caters to a diverse student population, with 24% eligible for free school meals and a small percentage having English as a second language. The school specializes in supporting students with various special educational needs such as hearing impairment, speech/language communication difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder, and more. However, recent Ofsted reports have highlighted areas of improvement needed in aspects such as overall effectiveness, education quality, behavior and attitudes, and leadership/management. Despite these challenges, the school aims to provide personal development opportunities for its students. Please note that the sixth-form provision has been rated inadequate. Exam results data is unavailable.

Mary Astell Academy is a co-ed all-through school located in the West Denton area of Newcastle upon Tyne. With a focus on supporting students with special educational needs (SEN), this academy provides a nurturing and inclusive environment for children aged 5 to 16. Led by Headteacher Mr Christopher Richardson, the school offers a comprehensive education, ensuring every student reaches their full potential. With a small student population of 48, Mary Astell Academy prioritizes individual attention and personalized support. Additionally, the school is committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds, with 31% eligible for free school meals and only 3.80% having English as a second language.

Thornhill Park School is an all-through school located in Sunderland, North East. With a focus on independent living skills, the school offers a broad and practical curriculum complemented by community experiences. Parents have praised the school for its commitment to personal development and enrichment activities, resulting in happy pupils with excellent attendance. The school also provides well-designed primary accommodation and specialist teachers for early years, ensuring a positive learning environment for all students.

Newcastle Bridges School is a safe and ambitious all-through school, offering tailored instruction to students aged 2-19. With high expectations and exceptional behavior, pupils are well-supported in their transition out of school. The curriculum is designed to meet the unique needs of each student, ensuring their success and development.

Bahr Academy is a girls' secondary school located in Newcastle upon Tyne. With a strong emphasis on Sunni Deobandi beliefs, the school provides a nurturing and inclusive environment for girls aged 11-16. The school's small size allows for individual attention and personalized support for each student. With a Good rating from Ofsted, Bahr Academy offers a high-quality education, promoting good behaviour, personal development, and effective leadership. The school's commitment to meeting independent school standards ensures a secure and enriching learning experience for all students.

ID Academy is a secondary school located in Seaton Burn, North Tyneside. With a dedicated and experienced headteacher, Ms Susan Park, the school provides a quality education for 12 students aged 11-16. The school promotes good behavior, personal development, and offers support for students with special educational needs. Recognized as a Good school by Ofsted, ID Academy meets the independent school standards.

Hopespring Sunderland is a secondary school providing a good quality education for students aged 11-16. With a dedicated and experienced team, our school prioritizes personal development, behavior, and attitudes to ensure a successful future for all students. Located in Sunderland, we offer a co-ed learning environment of 12 students, fostering a supportive and inclusive community.

Haskel School is an outstanding all-through school located in Gateshead. With a dedicated and experienced Headteacher, Mrs Sarah Sugarman, the school provides a high-quality education for students aged 5-19. The school has a small class size of 20, ensuring individualized attention and support for every student. Haskel School prides itself on its outstanding behaviour, attitudes, personal development, and leadership. The school is also known for its excellent support for students with speech, language and communication needs, as well as moderate and severe learning difficulties. Haskel School meets the independent school standards and has been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, confirming its commitment to providing a quality education for all students.

Hopespring Newcastle is a co-ed secondary school located in Longbenton, North Tyneside. With a focus on inclusive education, the school provides support for students with special educational needs, with 72.7% of students receiving SEN support. The school has been praised for its overall effectiveness, delivering a good quality of education, promoting positive behaviour and attitudes, and fostering personal development. With a dedicated headteacher and a small student body, Hopespring Newcastle offers a nurturing and supportive environment for students to thrive academically and socially.

School Returners/Young Mums Provision is a secondary school in Sunderland, providing a supportive and inclusive environment for students aged 11-16 who have returned to education or are young mothers. With a focus on addressing social, emotional, and mental health needs, our dedicated staff ensure every student receives the guidance and education they need to thrive.

Beacon of Light School is an improving secondary school in Sunderland. Led by a determined principal, the school has turned around standards of behaviour and focuses on positive personal development. While some areas require improvement, the school is committed to providing a positive educational experience for all students.