Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Popular emoji_events #16 in Northumberland public Top 45% UK

NCEA Duke's Secondary School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Ruston Atkinson

corporate_fareNORTHUMBERLAND CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY TRUST

location_onAshington, NE63 9FZ

language Visit Website phone 1670816111

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,018

trending_up

Attainment 8

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GCSE Rank

#16 in Northumberland

#3,143 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

NCEA Duke's Secondary School is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Ashington, serving ages 11-19. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards. Demand is above capacity (1.0×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

NCEA Duke's Secondary School is an academy sponsor led in Ashington, Northumberland, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of NORTHUMBERLAND CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,045 pupils on roll, of whom 50% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 32, placing the school #16 in Northumberland and #3,143 of 3,216 nationally. 20.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 4.4% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

In 2018, 73% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 12% achieving the higher standard.

The sixth form offers 4 A-level subjects. 18.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 3.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.33 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.0× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 5 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 36.6 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

20.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)4.4%

Entering EBacc11.20%

EBacc APS2.54

2024

Progress 8 Score

-1.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc5.00%

EBacc APS2.62

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.97

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

39.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc8%

EBacc APS3.06

2022

Progress 8 Score

-1.16

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

39.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12%

EBacc APS3.02

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc6%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.93

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

36.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc65%

EBacc APS3.14

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.61

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

36.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc52%

EBacc APS3.2

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)72%

Apprenticeships11%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

86%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)73%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)14%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)76%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment9%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.33

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*–A3.1%

Achieving A*–B18.8%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate70.0%

A-level subjects offered4

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.14

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

2023

Avg Grade

D+

Students

2022

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

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Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

73%

LA 59%

Reading79% LA 72%

Writing81% LA 75%

Maths85% LA 68%

Read SS

106

Maths SS

106

GPS SS

106

Progress (0 = national avg)

1.1

Read

LA -0.4

0.2 to 2

Write

LA 0.0

-0.9 to 0.9

2.2

Maths

LA -1.2

1.4 to 3

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

13 November 2024

Inspection Report

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06 June 2023

Inspection Report

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20 January 2022

Inspection Report

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27 January 2021

Inspection Report

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20 October 2020

Inspection Report

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03 March 2020

Inspection Report

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17 December 2018

Inspection Report

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14 November 2017

Inspection Report

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29 September 2015

Inspection Report

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03 February 2014

Inspection Report

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22 October 2013

Inspection Report

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10 May 2012

Inspection Report

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11 May 2011

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

6 Evaluations

2023-06-06

Serious Weaknesses S5 Reinspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2020-03-03

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 3 EIF

Inadequate

Education

Inadequate

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

2018-12-17

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2017-11-14

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 2 Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2015-09-29

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-10-22

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

Requires improvement

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

32.0%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

13.3%(139 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

4pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,045 pupils. During this period, there were 334 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 32.0%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,045	334	32.0%	7.3%	4
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,053	434	41.2%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,016	170	16.7%	7.4%	4
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,021	175	17.1%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,031	312	30.3%	8.2%	10
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,009	252	25.0%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,018	280	27.5%	6.4%	5
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,028	371	36.1%	5.9%	6
2021/22 (Summer term)	961	234	24.3%	4.7%	3
2021/22 (Spring term)	962	188	19.5%	4.9%	2
2021/22 (Autumn term)	966	196	20.3%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	945	129	13.7%	3.6%	4
2020/21 (Spring term)	953	31	3.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	965	203	21.0%	3.9%	4
2019/20 (Summer term)	949	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	949	60	6.3%	3.2%	2
2019/20 (Autumn term)	953	73	7.7%	4.2%	4
2018/19 (Summer term)	910	34	3.7%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	909	58	6.4%	3.8%	3
2018/19 (Autumn term)	924	47	5.1%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	2,597	40	1.5%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	2,572	18	0.7%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	2,525	30	1.2%	3.7%	13
2016/17 (Summer term)	2,593	16	0.6%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	2,561	17	0.7%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	2,509	24	1.0%	3.1%	1

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Moderate Learning Difficulty 79 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 70 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 46 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 44 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 6 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

57.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

63.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

28.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree17%

agree41%

disagree13%

strongly disagree22%

don't know7%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree24%

agree26%

disagree22%

strongly disagree24%

don't know4%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree35%

agree15%

disagree7%

strongly disagree28%

don't know4%

not applicable11%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes57%

no43%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree35%

agree27%

disagree15%

strongly disagree23%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree24%

agree30%

disagree17%

strongly disagree22%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree26%

agree28%

disagree20%

strongly disagree17%

don't know9%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree33%

agree24%

disagree20%

strongly disagree24%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree28%

agree39%

disagree7%

strongly disagree22%

don't know4%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree35%

agree35%

disagree7%

strongly disagree13%

don't know11%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree28%

agree26%

disagree17%

strongly disagree24%

don't know4%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes57%

no43%

Top Secondary Schools in Northumberland

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Ponteland High School

Good

location_on Ponteland, NE20 9EG

emoji_events #1 in LA

The King Edward VI School

Outstanding

location_on Morpeth, NE61 1DN

emoji_events #2 in LA

Queen Elizabeth High School

Good

location_on Hexham, NE46 3JB

emoji_events #3 in LA

The Blyth Academy

Good

location_on Blyth, NE24 4JP

emoji_events #4 in LA

Bede Academy

Good

location_on Blyth, NE24 2SY

emoji_events #5 in LA

Ashington Academy

Good

location_on Ashington, NE63 8DH

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Northumberland arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Church of England)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Primary Admission Trends

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Northumberland

Ponteland High School

The King Edward VI School

Queen Elizabeth High School

The Blyth Academy

Bede Academy

Ashington Academy