St Cuthbert's High School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Roman Catholic · Sixth form

Part of BISHOP BEWICK CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST

Gretna Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 7PX

0191 274 4510 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 6 February 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths52%England 45% · 2024/25
7th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 68% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,224Room for 1,207 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,150 in 2019, 1,207 in 2021, 1,207 in 2022, 1,238 in 2023, 1,234 in 2024, 1,211 in 2025, 1,224 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0210 for 220 places, September 2026
7th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 50% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

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.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

147 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne comparisons use the 16 of its 22 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 6 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 schoolNewcastle-upon-TyneEngland
My child is happy at this school
11th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 31% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
76% 81% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
11th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
75% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
11th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
63% 77% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 53 parents whose child had been bullied
10th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 24% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
40% 45% 50%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 113 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 11th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 27% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
60% 67% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
12th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 19% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
62%said yes 76% 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. Newcastle-upon-Tyne figures pool parents at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne 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

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

198 pupils in this year group.

52% — 6 points above the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 6 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNewcastle upon TyneEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 52% 46% 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. 49 43.9 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.5 3.9 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: 35%This school 2023/24: 38%This school 2024/25: 52% This school England 45% 2022/23 35% 2023/24 38% 2024/25 52%

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.

197 pupils in this year group.

92% — 6 points above the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 44%40%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolNewcastle upon TyneEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 92% 86% 92%
School sixth form 44% 39% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 0% 13%
Further education college 40% 39% 37%
Apprenticeship 5% 3% 3%
Work 4% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
94%92%

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

70 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolNewcastle upon TyneEngland
Average A level grade C+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 18% 24% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 46% 50% 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. 33.3 33.5 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 34.0This school 2023/24: 35.6This school 2024/25: 33.3 This school England 35 2022/23 34.0 2023/24 35.6 2024/25 33.3

A level subjects, 2024/25

22 subjects, 176 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 28 14% 18% 40%
Geography 15 0% 0% 23%
Physics 14 7% 14% 31%
Religious Studies 13 8% 8% 22%
Business Studies:Single 11 0% 9% 16%
English Language 10 0% 10% 13%
English Literature 10 10% 20% 23%
Biology 9 0% 22% 27%
Computer Studies / Computing 9 0% 11% 24%
History 8 0% 0% 23%
Chemistry 7 0% 43% 30%
Economics 7 0% 43% 26%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 6 0% 0% 15%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Mathematics (Further), Psychology, Sociology, Art and Design (Fine Art), Art and Design (Photography), Physical Education / Sports Studies, Art and Design (3d Studies), Spanish, Film Studies.

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.

95 students in this year group.

81% — 7 points above the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 2 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNewcastle upon TyneEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 81% 74% 79%
Apprenticeship 6% 9% 7%
Work 12% 29% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
87%81%

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.

103 students in this year group.

70% — 21 points above the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 10 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNewcastle upon TyneEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 70% 49% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 28% 11% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
80%70%

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 Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 offered220
Families who put it first210
Of those, offered a place171 (81%)
Families who listed it at all467

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 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 Roman Catholic 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 Newcastle upon Tyne

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolNewcastle upon TyneEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
9th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 77% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
40.3% 43.3%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
17th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.1% 3.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
8th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 71% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
16.6% 14.6%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
3rd highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 85% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
36.8% 24.0%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
7th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.1% 9.7%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
9th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
22.8% 25.4%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
12th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Lower than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
29.3 42.1 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
12th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Lower than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.2% 10.1% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded11 pupils 0.91% 0.34% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
18th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 17% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
15.0 16.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 11th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.3 11.4 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
17th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Higher than 6% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
5.4% 10.1%* 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 St Cuthbert's High School's Ofsted rating?

St Cuthbert's High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 February 2024.

How did St Cuthbert's High School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 52% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 6 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend St Cuthbert's High School?

62% of the 147 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend St Cuthbert's High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is St Cuthbert's High School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 210 families put St Cuthbert's High School as their first choice for 220 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 171 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.