Classpot

Thorp Academy

Gateshead, NE40 3AHSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Jun 2024
Progress 8
-0.12
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
235 1st-choice / 263 places
Ranking
#1,807
of 3,141 nationally

About Thorp Academy

Thorp Academy is a large mixed secondary school and sixth form in Gateshead, serving 1,496 pupils aged 11 to 18. In the local authority, it ranks fourth out of seven schools of the same type when measured by Progress 8, placing it just behind the top three peers: Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Whickham School, and St Thomas More Catholic School. The school sits within a local authority where only one school holds an Outstanding rating from Ofsted, and Thorp Academy itself was rated Good in its most recent graded inspection in 2019, a judgement that was confirmed as unchanged in an ungraded inspection in June 2024. This marks a clear improvement from its previous inspection in 2016, when the school was rated Requires Improvement. The headteacher, Joanna Macaulay, leads a school that is oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 academic year, there were 365 applications for 263 places, with 235 first-preference offers made.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressMain Road, Ryton, Gateshead, NE40 3AH
HeadteacherJoanna Macaulay
Local AuthorityGateshead
Number of Pupils1,496
Free School Meals (FSM)24.4%
School Capacity1,496 / 1,511 (99% full)
Sixth FormYes

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 English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

19 Jun 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Latest monitoring visit (19 Jun 2024): School remains Good

Source: Ofsted, 2 May 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

10
LibraryTennis CourtsPlaying FieldsTheatreGymnasiumArt StudiosMusic RoomsDining HallChapelSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

17

Sports

AthleticsBasketballCricketMartial ArtsNetballHockeyDance

Clubs & Activities

Film ClubScience ClubChessDuke of EdinburghDebateBook ClubOrchestraChoirGardeningEco Club

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultySevere Learning

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Thorp Academy

Thorp Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.