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Haydon Bridge High School

Northumberland, NE47 6LRSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Sep 2025
Progress 8
-0.58
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
52 1st-choice / 53 places
Ranking
#2,712
of 3,141 nationally

About Haydon Bridge High School

Haydon Bridge High School is a mixed state secondary and sixth form in Northumberland, and its intake data reveals a school operating well below its physical capacity. With 421 pupils on roll against a school capacity of 904, it is less than half full, a significant signal for parents weighing their options. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 31.6%, notably higher than the national average of around 23%, reflecting the socioeconomic profile of the local area. Despite the spare capacity overall, the school was oversubscribed for Year 7 entry in 2025/26, receiving 58 total applications for 53 places, with 52 of those being first preferences. That oversubscription ratio of 1.09 suggests a modest but real local demand, even if the school is not filling its overall footprint. For families in the Haydon Bridge area, this means securing a place is competitive but not prohibitively so, and the school is clearly a key local option despite its size.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressHaydon Bridge, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 6LR
HeadteacherDavid Nisbet
Local AuthorityNorthumberland
Number of Pupils421
Free School Meals (FSM)31.6%
School Capacity421 / 904 (47% full)
Sixth FormYes

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 English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

27 Feb 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal Development
Requires improvement
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 12 Jun 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

10
Dining HallICT SuiteArt StudiosSports HallTennis CourtsSixth Form CentreSwimming PoolMusic RoomsLibraryGymnasium

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

15

Sports

TennisAthleticsBasketballRoundersCross CountryHockeyNetballRugbyBadminton

Clubs & Activities

Film ClubGardeningModel United NationsDuke of EdinburghBook ClubYoung Enterprise

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Haydon Bridge High School

Haydon Bridge High School has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.