SchoolScoresGilbert Ward Academy
Special free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of PROSPER LEARNING TRUST
Princess Louise Road, Blyth, NE24 2TS
0191 605 3899 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 6 May 2026 , published 18 June 2026.
In short: 2 expected, 4 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
No test or exam results have been published for this school yet.
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round.
| Pupils | This school | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 70.9% | 55.5%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 100.0% | 99.4%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.0% | 0.6%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | 0.0% | 1.3%* | 14.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) | 26.6% | 15.1%* | 12.8% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) | 72.3% | 36.5%* | 35.3% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 272.7 | 28.5 | 12.3 |
| Pupils suspended at least once | 80.0% | 9.1% | 5.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Pupils per teacher | 7.2 | 7.3 | 6.6 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | 3.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
| Teachers who left during the year | 10.2% | 10.9%* | 14.3%* |
Comparisons are with special schools. * 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby special schools
- The Dales School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2013), confirmed 2024 · 0% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Apex Academy 2.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: No graded inspection
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Gilbert Ward Academy's Ofsted rating?
Gilbert Ward Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 6 May 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 2 expected, 4 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 149842.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.