Best Secondary Schools in Gateshead 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 9 schools across Gateshead. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Gateshead has 9 secondary schools, of which 1 (11%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 5 rated Good — 67% of secondary schools in Gateshead are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Gateshead follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

9
Total schools
1
Outstanding
11%
Outstanding rate
65.9%
Avg KS2 SATs
36.8
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead
Secondary
 Outstanding 76 View school
🥈 St Thomas More Catholic School, Blaydon
Secondary
 Good 67 View school
🥉 Thorp Academy
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
4. Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
5. Kingsmeadow Community School
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
6. Whickham School
Secondary
 Good 54 View school
7. XP Gateshead
Secondary
 — 50 View school
8. Grace College
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 46 View school
9. Heworth Grange School
Secondary
 Inadequate 33 View school

Related lists for Gateshead

All schools in GatesheadPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in GatesheadReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Gateshead1 school rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Gateshead

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

Search schools in Gateshead

Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Gateshead?
There are 9 secondary schools in Gateshead, of which 1 (11%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Gateshead?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Gateshead is Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Gateshead?
Primary and secondary school applications in Gateshead are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Gateshead council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Gateshead?
11% of secondary schools in Gateshead are rated Outstanding and 56% are rated Good. 83.7% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.