SchoolScoresJohn Spence Community High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of PELE TRUST
Preston Road, North Shields, NE29 9PU
0191 296 1432 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 6 June 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
154 pupils in this year group.
29% — 15 points below the North Tyneside average, and 17 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 29% | 43% | 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. | 41 | 46 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 4.0 | 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.
156 pupils in this year group.
88% — 4 points below the North Tyneside average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 88% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 15% | 40% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Further education college | 63% | 40% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 88% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 North 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 166 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 104 |
| Of those, offered a place | 102 (98%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 301 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.6
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 for moderate learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | North Tyneside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 49.1% | 25.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Higher than 77% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.3% | 3.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6% | 14.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Higher than 20% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.6% | 5.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Lower than 30% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5% | 7.4%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Lower than 42% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.1% | 19.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Lower than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 26.1 | 25.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Lower than 26% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3% | 7.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded7 pupils | 0.86% | 0.71% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Higher than 11% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5 | 16.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Higher than 9% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in North Shields. Higher than 26% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6% | 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
- Marden High School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- Monkseaton High School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Thomas More Catholic High School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Kings Priory School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 74% grade 5+ English and maths
- Marden Bridge Middle School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), improved significantly 2025
- Monkseaton Coastal School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2021)
- Norham High School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- Valley Gardens Middle School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
- Whitley Bay High School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 63% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wellfield Middle School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is John Spence Community High School's Ofsted rating?
John Spence Community High School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 June 2023.
How did John Spence Community High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 29% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 17 points below the England average of 45%.
Is John Spence Community High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 104 families put John Spence Community High School as their first choice for 166 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 102 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 150195.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.