The Northern School of Art

About The Northern School of Art

The Northern School of Art serves students aged 16 to 99 in Middlesbrough, and its headline metrics paint a picture that diverges sharply from local averages. For A-level students, the school’s value-added score sits at -0.81, which is well below average nationally and significantly worse than the local authority’s average Progress 8 score of -0.45 for secondary schools. This means that, on average, students here achieve lower grades than their prior attainment would predict. The points per entry grade is a C, with a score of 31.51, and the best three A-levels average out at a C grade as well. With just 13 pupils in the cohort, these figures are based on a small group, so they should be interpreted with caution. The progress banding is rated as well below average, and the confidence interval ranges from -1.19 to -0.44, suggesting the result is statistically significant. For families prioritising academic value-added, this is a notable red flag compared with other Middlesbrough schools.

Academically, the school’s performance is concentrated entirely on post-16 outcomes, as it is a sixth-form-only institution. The best three A-levels grade is a C, and the points per entry grade matches that. There is no data for maths or English progress, and the percentage of students taking level 3 maths is not recorded. The school does not appear in the local authority’s top peers list by ranking score, which is dominated by schools like Acklam Grange School (0.33) and Macmillan Academy (-0.14). With no Ofsted rating provided in the data, parents cannot rely on an inspection judgement to gauge quality. The small cohort size of 13 means individual student performance can heavily sway the averages. Compared with the LA average for secondary schools, which includes GCSE-level metrics, the Northern School of Art’s A-level value-added is markedly weaker, making it a choice that demands careful scrutiny of subject-specific outcomes and support.

On the practical side, the school offers a wide range of facilities including art studios, a theatre, music rooms, a sixth form centre, and a chapel, alongside sports provision such as football, netball, and tennis. Clubs include film, science, debate, drama, chess, and eco club, suggesting a broad enrichment offer. The school is mixed, non-religious, and state-funded, with no admissions oversubscription data available. It will suit families who value creative and performing arts facilities and a diverse extracurricular programme, particularly for students aged 16 and above who may be less focused on traditional academic metrics. However, the low value-added score and small cohort mean that parents should investigate subject-level results and speak to the school about how it supports students to meet their potential. The headteacher is Martin Raby. Without Ofsted or parent view data, this school is best approached with direct questions about teaching quality and student outcomes.

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