St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy
93%
Capacity
1,056
Pupils
1.5x
Demand
About St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy
St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Northumberland community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,056 pupils on roll and is well-filled (93% of 1,140 places).
Ofsted has rated St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Suzanne Lewis-Dale, it falls under Northumberland local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.17 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 44.7. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C. Additionally, ranked 1927th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 8th out of 16 in Northumberland.
St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 246 applications for 162 places, making it 1.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 160 were first-preference applications.
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 St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy include Music Rooms, Theatre, ICT Suite, Art Studios, Tennis Courts, Gymnasium, Playing Fields, Science Labs, Swimming Pool, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Rugby, Cricket, Swimming and 3 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Eco Club, Science Club, Young Enterprise and 7 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 30.7%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Northumberland, St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy 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 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Ridge Terrace, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 6ED |
| Headteacher | Suzanne Lewis-Dale |
| Local Authority | Northumberland |
| Number of Pupils | 1,056 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 30.7% |
| School Capacity | 1,056 / 1,140 (93% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 Jan 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 8 Mar 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.17)
1927th of 3,141
Nationally
67th of 142
In North East
8th of 16
In Northumberland
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make 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
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
35.0
'22/23
30.4
'23/24
31.0
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed162
246
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
160 families put this school as their 1st choice (65% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Benet Biscop Catholic 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
Contact Information
Ridge Terrace, Bedlington
Northumberland, NE22 6ED
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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