Bedlington Academy
97%
Capacity
828
Pupils
1.4x
Demand
About Bedlington Academy
Bedlington Academy is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Northumberland community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 828 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (97% of 850 places).
Ofsted has rated Bedlington Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Joanna Lamb, it falls under Northumberland local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.26 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 45.2. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of B-. Additionally, ranked 2140th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 11th out of 16 in Northumberland.
Bedlington Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 232 applications for 162 places, making it 1.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 166 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Bedlington Academy include Library, Sports Hall, Tennis Courts, Astro Turf, Gymnasium, Music Rooms, Swimming Pool, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Basketball, Football, Rugby and 5 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Eco Club, Coding, DofE and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 31.2%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Northumberland, Bedlington Academy is one of the options available in the North East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Palace Road, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 7DS |
| Headteacher | Joanna Lamb |
| Local Authority | Northumberland |
| Number of Pupils | 828 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 31.2% |
| School Capacity | 828 / 850 (97% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
13 Sept 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 16 Oct 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.26)
2140th of 3,141
Nationally
79th of 142
In North East
11th of 16
In Northumberland
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
37.3
'22/23
32.3
'23/24
36.8
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed162
232
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
166 families put this school as their 1st choice (72% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bedlington Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Palace Road, Bedlington
Northumberland, NE22 7DS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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