Haydon Bridge High School

Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Haydon Bridge, Hexham, NE47 6LR

01434 684422 · School website · Map and directions

Ofsted report card4 needs attention, 3 urgent improvementSafeguarding met · 20 January 2026
Grade 5 or above in English and maths14%England 45% · 2024/25
16th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 1% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils392Room for 904 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 355 in 2019, 426 in 2021, 409 in 2022, 423 in 2023, 423 in 2024, 421 in 2025, 392 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.039 for 40 places, September 2026
9th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 56% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 20 January 2026 , published 23 March 2026.

In short: 4 needs attention, 3 urgent improvement, 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.

Category of concern: Special measures. Ofsted will monitor the school closely until it improves.

AreaGrade
SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. Met
InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this.
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. Urgent improvement The lowest of five grades. Ofsted found serious weaknesses that need fixing quickly.
Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. Urgent improvement The lowest of five grades. Ofsted found serious weaknesses that need fixing quickly.
Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this.
Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this.
Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. Urgent improvement The lowest of five grades. Ofsted found serious weaknesses that need fixing quickly.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

64 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.

Northumberland comparisons use the 6 of its 27 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 21 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
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 12% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
55% 80% 83%
My child feels safe at this school
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 18% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
67% 81% 85%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 3% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
28% 71% 78%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 19 parents whose child had been bullied
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 5% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
21% 49% 43%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 56 parents who had raised a concern
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 7% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
39% 69% 74%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 24 parents of children with SEND
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 11% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
33% 60% 63%
I would recommend this school to another parent
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 13% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
56%said yes 83% 83%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 15%). 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

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

73 pupils in this year group.

14% — 28 points below the Northumberland average, and 32 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 14% 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. 35.1 44 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 2.9 3.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 44%This school 2023/24: 21%This school 2024/25: 14% This school England 45% 2022/23 44% 2023/24 21% 2024/25 14%

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.

63 pupils in this year group.

84% — 7 points below the Northumberland average, and 8 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 84% 91% 92%
School sixth form 44% 43% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 0% 13%
Further education college 25% 36% 37%
Apprenticeship 5% 6% 3%
Work 10% 4% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
94%84%

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

20 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Average A level grade D C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 6% 24% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 14% 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. 20.6 34.2 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
15 20 25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 36.3This school 2023/24: 25.3This school 2024/25: 20.6 This school England 35 2022/23 36.3 2023/24 25.3 2024/25 20.6

A level subjects, 2024/25

11 subjects, 51 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 10 0% 0% 40%
Chemistry 8 0% 0% 30%
Biology 7 0% 0% 27%
Physics 7 0% 0% 31%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Sociology, Art and Design (Graphics), Geography, Physical Education / Sports Studies, Art and Design (Photography), English Literature, Art and Design (Fine Art).

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.

36 students in this year group.

89% — 2 points above the Northumberland average, and 10 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. 89% 87% 79%
Apprenticeship 14% 11% 7%
Work 47% 25% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
85%89%

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.

24 students in this year group.

54% — 13 points below the Northumberland average, and 6 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 54% 67% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 13% 28% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
38%54%

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?

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

Places offered40
Families who put it first39
Of those, offered a place39 (100%)
Families who listed it at all45

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 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.

Admissions dates and schools in Northumberland

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
31.9% 24.8%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Higher than 79% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.5% 3.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
14.3% 13.1%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.2% 2.8%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Lower than 6% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
12.6% 8.7%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Lower than 9% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
34.5% 22.6%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Lower than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
76.7 29.2 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Lower than 13% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
14.0% 8.4% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils 0.48% 0.38% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Higher than 13% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
14.7 16.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Higher than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
9.2 11.5 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Hexham.
Higher than 74% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
18.1% 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.

Questions parents ask

What is Haydon Bridge High School's Ofsted rating?

Haydon Bridge High School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 20 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 4 needs attention, 3 urgent improvement, and safeguarding was met.

How did Haydon Bridge High School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 14% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 32 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Haydon Bridge High School?

56% of the 64 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Haydon Bridge High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Haydon Bridge High School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 39 families put Haydon Bridge High School as their first choice for 40 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 39 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.