NCEA Duke's Secondary School

About NCEA Duke's Secondary School

NCEA Duke's Secondary School's headline Progress 8 score of -1.05 sits well below the Northumberland local authority average of -0.22 for secondary schools, a gap that places it 15th out of 16 schools in the area. This is a significant difference — roughly 0.83 of a grade per subject behind the typical LA school — and the school's Progress 8 banding is officially classified as 'well below average'. Nationally, it ranks 3,040th out of 3,141 schools, putting it in the bottom 5% of all state secondaries. The picture is consistent across individual subject areas: Progress 8 for English is -1.01, for maths -0.81, and for the EBacc subjects -1.22. The Attainment 8 score of 34 is also modest, and only 25.6% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths (the basics 5 measure). The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 rated overall effectiveness as 'Requires improvement', though this was an upgrade from its previous 'Inadequate' rating in 2020.

Looking more closely at the Ofsted breakdown, there are signs of progress. The 2023 inspection awarded 'Good' ratings for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, sixth-form provision, and leadership and management — all areas that had been rated lower in 2020. The quality of education remains 'Requires improvement', which aligns with the academic data. At Key Stage 5, the sixth form is small with only 14 pupils, and the value-added score of -0.14 is within the 'Average' banding, with a points-per-entry grade of C-. The EBacc entry rate is just 5%, and only 1.1% of pupils achieved the EBacc at grade 5 or above, suggesting a narrow curriculum offer at GCSE. Parent View responses from 44 families between September 2024 and September 2025 show mixed feelings: 55% would recommend the school, but 45% would not. On specific questions, 57% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy, while 43% disagreed or strongly disagreed.

The school is a Church of England mixed secondary with a capacity of 1,150 and currently has 1,045 pupils on roll. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, with 203 first-preference applications for 187 places — an oversubscription ratio of 1.31. Facilities include a sports hall, gymnasium, theatre, chapel, music rooms, art studios, and a sixth-form centre. The school offers a wide range of clubs and sports, including rowing, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, coding, and Model UN. SEND provision covers eight areas, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. With 49.6% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a significantly disadvantaged intake. This context matters: while headline outcomes are low, the school has made recent Ofsted improvements and offers a broad extracurricular programme. It may suit families who value the sixth form and the range of activities, but who are prepared for a school still working to raise academic attainment.

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