Bede Academy

Academy · All-through, ages 3 to 18 · Mixed · Christian · Nursery class · Sixth form

Part of EMMANUEL SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Sixth Avenue, Blyth, NE24 2SY

01670 545111 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 30 April 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths48%England 45% · 2024/25
6th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 60% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils2,030Room for 1,780 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,802 in 2019, 1,886 in 2021, 1,942 in 2022, 1,987 in 2023, 2,003 in 2024, 2,012 in 2025, 2,030 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.3174 for 131 places, September 2026
1st highest of 11 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 88% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 30 April 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesRequires improvement
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Early yearsGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

209 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.

Northumberland comparisons use the 14 of its 27 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 13 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
My child is happy at this school
8th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
79% 79% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
10th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
77% 86% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 8th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 36% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
72% 74% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 98 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 20% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
38% 41% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 172 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 10th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 27% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
60% 66% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
6th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
76%said yes 77% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Northumberland figures pool parents at the Northumberland schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25

85 pupils in this year group.

69% — 11 points above the Northumberland average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths 69% 58% 62%
Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths 14% 8% 8%
Met the expected standard in reading 91% 72% 75%
Met the expected standard in writing 72% 71% 72%
Met the expected standard in maths 88% 70% 74%
Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 109 105 106
Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 108 104 105
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, over time
50% 60% 70% 80% 90% England 2022/23: 60%England 2023/24: 61%England 2024/25: 62% This school 2022/23: 79%This school 2023/24: 81%This school 2024/25: 69% This school England 62% 2022/23 79% 2023/24 81% 2024/25 69%

Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

199 pupils in this year group.

48% — 6 points above the Northumberland average, and 2 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 48% 42% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 48.9 44 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.4 3.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 39%This school 2023/24: 52%This school 2024/25: 48% This school England 45% 2022/23 39% 2023/24 52% 2024/25 48%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

188 pupils in this year group.

88% — 3 points below the Northumberland average, and 4 points below the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 50%29%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 88% 91% 92%
School sixth form 50% 43% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 0% 13%
Further education college 29% 36% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 6% 3%
Work 5% 4% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
90%88%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

58 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Average A level grade C C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 13% 24% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 38% 49% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 31.0 34.2 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 27.9This school 2023/24: 29.1This school 2024/25: 31.0 This school England 35 2022/23 27.9 2023/24 29.1 2024/25 31.0

A level subjects, 2024/25

16 subjects, 144 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 24 0% 8% 19%
Mathematics 18 0% 17% 40%
English Language 17 0% 29% 13%
Business Studies:Single 14 0% 14% 16%
Biology 11 0% 9% 27%
History 11 0% 9% 23%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 9 11% 11% 38%
Chemistry 9 0% 0% 30%
Religious Studies 9 11% 11% 22%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, Geography, Physics, Design and Technology (Textiles Technology), French, Mathematics (Further), Music.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

101 students in this year group.

90% — 3 points above the Northumberland average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 90% 87% 79%
Apprenticeship 14% 11% 7%
Work 19% 25% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
86%90%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

93 students in this year group.

68% — about the same as the Northumberland average, and 8 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 68% 67% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 18% 28% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
74%68%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Northumberland. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered131
Families who put it first174
Of those, offered a place131 (75%)
Families who listed it at all239

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.6 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.3

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

How hard is it to get in (Reception)?

For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered74
Families who put it first73
Of those, offered a place72 (99%)
Families who listed it at all106

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

This is a Christian school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.

Admissions dates and schools in Northumberland

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
15th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
24.5% 24.8%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
14th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 56% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.2% 3.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
21st highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
12.0% 13.1%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
Joint 4th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 15% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.6% 2.8%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
Joint 7th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Lower than 84% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
6.2% 8.7%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
8th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Lower than 89% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
13.9% 22.6%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
21st lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Lower than 20% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
34.3 29.2 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
16th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Lower than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.7% 8.4% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded13 pupils 0.65% 0.38% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
9th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 82% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.5 16.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
5th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 78% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.1 11.5 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
17th highest of 26 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 24% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
9.2% 11.8%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Bede Academy's Ofsted rating?

Bede Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 30 April 2024.

How did Bede Academy do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 48% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Bede Academy?

76% of the 209 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Bede Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Bede Academy oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 174 families put Bede Academy as their first choice for 131 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 131 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.