Rye Hills Academy
About Rye Hills Academy
Rye Hills Academy in Redcar and Cleveland is a secondary school that serves a significantly higher proportion of disadvantaged pupils than the national average, with 30.3% of its 789 students eligible for free school meals. The school has a capacity of 1,175, meaning it currently operates well below its maximum, yet it remains a popular choice among local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 256 applications for 162 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.58, with 154 of those offers going to first-preference applicants out of 159 who listed it as their top choice. This demand suggests the school holds a strong reputation within the community, despite not being full. The school is a mixed, 11-16 state secondary with no sixth form, and it is led by headteacher Hijab Zaheer. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2024 rated it Good across all categories, a notable improvement from its previous Inadequate rating in 2020, with leadership and management, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and quality of education all now graded as Good.
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
14 May 2024Source: Ofsted, 20 Jun 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
20Sports
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 Rye Hills 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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications