SchoolScoresHarton Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of THE ILLUMINARE MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Lisle Road, South Shields, NE34 6DL
0191 427 4050 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 February 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
225 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
| Statement | This school | South Shields | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 74% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 43% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 74% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 47% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 60% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 84 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 71% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 43% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 165 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 62% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 61% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in South Shields. Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81%said yes | 66% | 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. South Shields figures pool parents at the South Shields 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
268 pupils in this year group.
38% — about the same as the South Tyneside average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 38% | 39% | 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. | 42.6 | 42.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.9 | 3.7 | 4.1 |
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.
269 pupils in this year group.
93% — 3 points above the South Tyneside average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 33% | 27% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Further education college | 49% | 52% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 93% |
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
149 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 15% | 14% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 40% | 42% | 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. | 30.5 | 30.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
22 subjects, 396 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 50 | 2% | 4% | 19% |
| Mathematics | 44 | 5% | 18% | 40% |
| Biology | 41 | 2% | 10% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 27 | 0% | 7% | 30% |
| History | 27 | 0% | 30% | 23% |
| Economics | 23 | 4% | 35% | 26% |
| Sociology | 23 | 4% | 4% | 20% |
| Business Studies:Single | 22 | 5% | 9% | 16% |
| Geography | 22 | 0% | 18% | 23% |
| English Literature | 19 | 0% | 16% | 23% |
| English Language | 14 | 7% | 14% | 13% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 14 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Law | 13 | 15% | 31% | 17% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 13 | 0% | 8% | 14% |
| Physics | 11 | 0% | 9% | 31% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 9 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| Government and Politics | 7 | 14% | 29% | 26% |
| Religious Studies | 7 | 14% | 43% | 22% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Mathematics (Further), Arabic, Chinese, Design and Technology (Product Design).
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.
132 students in this year group.
93% — 20 points above the South Tyneside average, and 14 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 93% | 73% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 16% | 7% |
| Work | 14% | 20% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 93% |
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.
124 students in this year group.
73% — 30 points above the South Tyneside average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 73% | 43% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 35% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 84% | 73% |
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 South Tyneside. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 266 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 290 |
| Of those, offered a place | 258 (89%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 601 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.1
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 25 places for speech, language and communication needs. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | South Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 35.0% | 36.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 2.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 95% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 23.4% | 18.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 6.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Lower than 24% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0% | 10.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Lower than 31% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.2% | 27.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.8 | 23.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Lower than 82% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 8.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.24% | 0.65% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 11% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5 | 15.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 22% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.5 | 10.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in South Shields. Higher than 34% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 10.7%* | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Mortimer Community College 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Wilfrid's RC College 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Whitburn CofE Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Boldon School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- Monkwearmouth Academy 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Harton Academy's Ofsted rating?
Harton Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 February 2024.
How did Harton Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 38% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Harton Academy?
81% of the 225 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Harton Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Harton Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 290 families put Harton Academy as their first choice for 266 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 258 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 144204.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.