Best Secondary Schools in Northumberland 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 15 schools across Northumberland. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Northumberland has 15 secondary schools, of which 1 (7%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 10 rated Good — 73% of secondary schools in Northumberland are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Ponteland High School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Northumberland 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.

15
Total schools
1
Outstanding
7%
Outstanding rate
60.2%
Avg KS2 SATs
35
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Ponteland High School
Secondary
 Good 69 View school
🥈 Queen Elizabeth High School
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
🥉 The Blyth Academy
Secondary
 Good 64 View school
4. Bedlington Academy
Secondary
 Good 62 View school
5. Ashington Academy
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
6. Cramlington Learning Village
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
7. Prudhoe Community High School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
8. Seaton Valley High School
Secondary
 Good 57 View school
9. St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy
Secondary
 Good 54 View school
10. The King Edward VI School
Secondary
 Outstanding 53 View school
11. The Duchess's Community High School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 47 View school
12. Berwick Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 43 View school
13. Haydon Bridge High School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 36 View school
14. James Calvert Spence College
Secondary
 Good 34 View school
15. NCEA Duke's Secondary School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 33 View school

Related lists for Northumberland

All schools in NorthumberlandPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in NorthumberlandReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Northumberland1 school rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Northumberland

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

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Northumberland?
There are 15 secondary schools in Northumberland, of which 1 (7%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Northumberland?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Northumberland is Ponteland High School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Northumberland?
Primary and secondary school applications in Northumberland are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Northumberland council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Northumberland?
7% of secondary schools in Northumberland are rated Outstanding and 67% are rated Good. 80.6% 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.