NCEA Duke's Secondary School
91%
Capacity
1,045
Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About NCEA Duke's Secondary School
NCEA Duke's Secondary School is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Northumberland community, welcoming children from age 11 to 19. The school has 1,045 pupils on roll and is well-filled (91% of 1,150 places).
Ofsted has rated NCEA Duke's Secondary School "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Ruston Atkinson, it falls under Northumberland local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -1.05 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 34.0. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C-. Additionally, ranked 3040th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 15th out of 16 in Northumberland.
NCEA Duke's Secondary School is a popular choice with families — it received 245 applications for 187 places, making it 1.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 203 were first-preference applications.
NCEA Duke's Secondary School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is mixed, with 55% recommending the school (44 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at NCEA Duke's Secondary School include Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Sixth Form Centre, Gymnasium, Library, Music Rooms, Art Studios, Dining Hall, Tennis Courts, Playing Fields, Theatre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Badminton, Rowing, Athletics, Swimming and 4 more, as well as clubs including Gardening, Drama, Book Club, Orchestra and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 49.6%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Northumberland, NCEA Duke's Secondary School 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 19 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Academy Road, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9FZ |
| Headteacher | Ruston Atkinson |
| Local Authority | Northumberland |
| Number of Pupils | 1,045 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 49.6% |
| School Capacity | 1,045 / 1,150 (91% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
6 Jun 2023Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 24 Jul 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-1.05)
3040th of 3,141
Nationally
132nd of 142
In North East
15th of 16
In Northumberland
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly 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
'21/22
25.3
'22/23
22.0
'23/24
27.6
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
44 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed187
245
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
203 families put this school as their 1st choice (83% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About NCEA Duke's Secondary School
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
Academy Road, Ashington
Northumberland, NE63 9FZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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