Bedlington Academy
About Bedlington Academy
Bedlington Academy has turned a significant corner since its last full inspection. The school was rated Inadequate in 2015, but its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 awarded it a Good rating across every category, including overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. That turnaround is the headline story here, but the exam data tells a more nuanced tale. The school’s Progress 8 score for 2023/24 sits at -0.26, which is slightly below the national average and places it in the ‘Below average’ banding. That said, it is only a fraction behind the Northumberland local authority average of -0.22, and it ranks 11th out of 16 secondary schools in the county on this metric. For a school that was in special measures less than a decade ago, that is a solid, if not spectacular, position.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
13 Sept 2022Source: Ofsted, 16 Oct 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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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