The King Edward VI School

Academy · Secondary, ages 13 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of CHEVIOT LEARNING TRUST

Cottingwood Lane, Morpeth, NE61 1DN

01670 515415 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 5 November 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths58%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 16 state secondary schools in Northumberland.
Higher than 79% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,426Room for 1,506 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,438 in 2019, 1,414 in 2021, 1,386 in 2022, 1,426 in 2023, 1,373 in 2024, 1,340 in 2025, 1,426 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
Free school meals13%of pupils eligible now

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 5 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 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 developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

387 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Northumberland comparisons use the 14 of its 27 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 13 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
5th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 60% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
86% 79% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 5th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
92% 86% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
6th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80% 74% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 106 parents whose child had been bullied
10th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 15% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
35% 41% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 252 parents who had raised a concern
6th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 45% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
69% 66% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 75 parents of children with SEND
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 47% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
61% 59% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
5th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Northumberland.
Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
87%said yes 77% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 29%). 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. 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

337 pupils in this year group.

58% — 16 points above the Northumberland average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 58% 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. 52.2 44 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.5 3.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 55%This school 2023/24: 53%This school 2024/25: 58% This school England 45% 2022/23 55% 2023/24 53% 2024/25 58%

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.

319 pupils in this year group.

96% — 5 points above the Northumberland average, and 4 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 57%26%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 96% 91% 92%
School sixth form 57% 43% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 0% 13%
Further education college 26% 36% 37%
Apprenticeship 7% 6% 3%
Work 5% 4% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%96%

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

180 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Average A level grade B- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 28% 24% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 58% 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. 36.9 34.2 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 36.1This school 2023/24: 38.2This school 2024/25: 36.9 This school England 35 2022/23 36.1 2023/24 38.2 2024/25 36.9

A level subjects, 2024/25

26 subjects, 482 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 48 4% 8% 19%
Mathematics 47 13% 36% 40%
Business Studies:Single 39 0% 13% 16%
Biology 30 3% 37% 27%
Economics 27 19% 41% 26%
Physics 27 7% 26% 31%
Geography 26 0% 19% 23%
History 26 0% 35% 23%
English Literature 23 9% 22% 23%
Sociology 23 9% 39% 20%
Art and Design 21 24% 52% 34%
Chemistry 21 5% 48% 30%
English Language 18 6% 22% 13%
Art and Design (Graphics) 14 14% 21% 32%
Drama and Theatre Studies 12 0% 33% 19%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 12 0% 0% 14%
Religious Studies 12 0% 25% 22%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 10 0% 10% 15%
Art and Design (Photography) 9 11% 33% 26%
French 7 14% 29% 38%
Mathematics (Further) 7 43% 71% 59%
Music 6 0% 17% 29%
Spanish 6 0% 0% 34%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Computer Studies / Computing, Music Technology, Turkish.

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.

217 students in this year group.

84% — 3 points below the Northumberland average, and 5 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. 84% 87% 79%
Apprenticeship 8% 11% 7%
Work 24% 25% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
85%84%

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.

186 students in this year group.

73% — 6 points above the Northumberland average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 73% 67% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 37% 28% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
74%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 Northumberland. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

Admissions dates and schools in Northumberland

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolNorthumberlandEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
11.8% 24.8%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Higher than 42% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.6% 3.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
12.4% 13.1%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.5% 2.8%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Lower than 23% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
10.1% 8.7%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Lower than 57% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
22.2% 22.6%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Lower than 81% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
5.5 29.2 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Lower than 84% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
2.9% 8.4% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil 0.07% 0.38% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Higher than 83% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.6 16.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.9 11.5 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Morpeth.
Higher than 41% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
11.8% 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.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is The King Edward VI School's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 5 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did The King Edward VI School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 58% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend The King Edward VI School?

87% of the 387 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The King Edward VI School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.