SchoolScoresThe Duchess's Community High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of PELE TRUST
Taylor Drive, Alnwick, NE66 2DH
01665 602166 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 19 October 2021. 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 | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form | 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
253 pupils in this year group.
38% — 4 points below the Northumberland average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 38% | 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. | 43.2 | 44 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.6 | 3.8 | 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.
234 pupils in this year group.
91% — about the same as the Northumberland average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 43% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Further education college | 35% | 36% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 91% |
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
84 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 17% | 24% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 44% | 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. | 31.8 | 34.2 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
22 subjects, 222 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | 28 | 0% | 18% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 25 | 8% | 36% | 40% |
| Biology | 18 | 0% | 22% | 27% |
| Business Studies:Single | 18 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Psychology | 15 | 0% | 7% | 19% |
| English Literature | 13 | 8% | 38% | 23% |
| Classical Civilisation | 9 | 11% | 22% | 23% |
| Physics | 9 | 22% | 33% | 31% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 8 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Chemistry | 8 | 13% | 13% | 30% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 8 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| History | 8 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Religious Studies | 8 | 0% | 25% | 22% |
| English Language | 7 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 7 | 29% | 29% | 59% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 7 | 0% | 14% | 17% |
| Sociology | 7 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Government and Politics | 6 | 0% | 17% | 26% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Environmental Science, Music, Art and Design (Textiles).
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.
116 students in this year group.
80% — 7 points below the Northumberland average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 80% | 87% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 32% | 25% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 80% |
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.
131 students in this year group.
63% — 4 points below the Northumberland average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 63% | 67% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 20% | 28% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 71% | 63% |
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 offered | 188 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 189 |
| Of those, offered a place | 188 (99%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 198 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 18th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.4% | 24.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 11th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 15th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6% | 13.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 14th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2% | 2.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 17th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Lower than 25% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 21st lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Lower than 22% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.3% | 22.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 19th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Lower than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 29.4 | 29.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 18th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Lower than 30% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5% | 8.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded7 pupils | 0.52% | 0.38% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 14th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Higher than 39% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.3 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 13th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Higher than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 13th highest of 26 state secondary schools in Northumberland. Higher than 44% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.3% | 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 The Duchess's Community High School's Ofsted rating?
The Duchess's Community High School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 October 2021.
How did The Duchess's Community High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 38% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Duchess's Community High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 189 families put The Duchess's Community High School as their first choice for 188 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 188 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 150196.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.