SchoolScoresWalker Riverside Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of TYNE COAST ACADEMY TRUST
Waverdale Avenue, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 4AW
0191 295 8660 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 24 September 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.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
53 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 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.
| Statement | This school | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 8th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 49% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 81% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 8th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 6th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 73% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 77% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 21 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 2nd highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 71% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 45% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 42 parents who had raised a concern Joint 4th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 73% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 67% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 20 parents of children with SEND Joint 4th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 67% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 68% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 7th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 58% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83%said yes | 76% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 5%). 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
219 pupils in this year group.
22% — 24 points below the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 24 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 22% | 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. | 35.5 | 43.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.1 | 3.9 | 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.
216 pupils in this year group.
77% — 9 points below the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 15 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 77% | 86% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 15% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Further education college | 54% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 77% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. 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.
16 students in this year group.
69% — 5 points below the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 69% | 74% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 13% | 29% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 69% |
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.
12 students in this year group.
42% — 7 points below the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 18 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 42% | 49% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 0% | 11% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 43% | 42% |
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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 219 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 276 |
| Of those, offered a place | 203 (74%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 420 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.3
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 a SEN unit with 12 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 68.1% | 43.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 64% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.6% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 83% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.9% | 14.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 12th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 61% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7% | 24.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 15th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 8% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1% | 9.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 14th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 15% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 31.8% | 25.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 53.3 | 42.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 20th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.1% | 10.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded8 pupils | 0.71% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 19th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 11% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 19th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 45% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Benfield School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- Burnside College 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2024 · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hebburn Comprehensive School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 1 strong, 4 expected, 1 needs attention · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Joseph's Catholic Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- Jesmond Park Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- Churchill Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ateres Girls High School 2.3 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024)
- Heworth Grange School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 26% grade 5+ English and maths
- Jarrow School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Royal Grammar School 2.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 63% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Walker Riverside Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 24 September 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Walker Riverside Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 22% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 24 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Walker Riverside Academy?
83% of the 53 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Walker Riverside Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Walker Riverside Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 276 families put Walker Riverside Academy as their first choice for 219 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 203 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 145528.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 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.