Classpot

Walbottle Academy

Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 9TPSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Jan 2023
Progress 8
-0.69
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
308 1st-choice / 330 places
Ranking
#2,830
of 3,141 nationally

About Walbottle Academy

Walbottle Academy is a large mixed secondary school and sixth form in Newcastle upon Tyne, serving 1,725 pupils aged 11 to 18. Within the local authority, it sits sixth out of eleven secondary schools when ranked by Progress 8, placing it in the middle of the pack. The top-performing peers in the area — Gosforth Junior High Academy, St Mary's Catholic School and Sacred Heart Catholic High School — all post significantly higher Progress 8 scores, so families comparing schools will find Walbottle positioned below those selective and faith-based options. The school is state-funded and non-religious, with a headteacher, Richard Harrison, at the helm. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 rated it Good across every category, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. That marks a notable turnaround from its previous inspection in 2019, when the school was judged Inadequate overall. The improvement in just four years is a clear signal of effective leadership and a strengthened culture.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressHexham Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 9TP
HeadteacherRichard Harrison
Local AuthorityNewcastle upon Tyne
Number of Pupils1,725
Free School Meals (FSM)46.9%
School Capacity1,725 / 1,885 (92% 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

25 Jan 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 13 Mar 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Sports HallGymnasiumPlaying FieldsTheatreSwimming PoolLibraryScience LabsChapelSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

18

Sports

FootballNetballRoundersHockeyRugbyTennisCross CountryDanceMartial ArtsRowing

Clubs & Activities

OrchestraEco ClubDebateChessChoirDuke of EdinburghYoung EnterpriseBook Club

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

SEND Support

Resourced Provision
AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyResourced Provision

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Walbottle Academy

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