Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #1 in Northumberland public Top 9% UK

Ponteland High School

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

personMr Stefan McElwee

corporate_farePELE TRUST

location_onPonteland, NE20 9EG

language Visit Website phone 1661824711

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,584

trending_up

Attainment 8

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#1 in Northumberland

#620 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Ponteland High School is a Academy converter secondary school in Ponteland, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.2×) — apply through your local authority on time.

article

School Summary

Ponteland High School is an academy converter in Ponteland, Northumberland, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of PELE TRUST. The school has approximately 1,543 pupils on roll, of whom 13% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 53, placing the school #1 in Northumberland and #620 of 3,216 nationally. 55.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 25.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 21 A-level subjects. 47.3% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 21.4% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.13 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

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

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.2× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.1:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.0 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

55.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)25.8%

Entering EBacc53.50%

EBacc APS4.81

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.13

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc66.30%

EBacc APS5.16

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.18

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc59%

EBacc APS4.48

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.3

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc63%

EBacc APS5.13

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc66%

EBacc APS-

explore

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

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

workspace_premium

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

+0.13

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

118

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*4.5%

Achieving A*–A21.4%

Achieving A*–B47.3%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate95.8%

A-level subjects offered21

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.06

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

129

Retention rate96.90%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

104

Retention rate99.00%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

144

Retention rate97.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

23 May 2023

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

08 February 2019

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-05-23

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2012-03-21

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2009-03-11

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

1.2%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.0%(16 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,543 pupils. During this period, there were 18 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.2%, which is below 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)	1,543	18	1.2%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,542	12	0.8%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,549	9	0.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,548	26	1.7%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,549	12	0.8%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,583	16	1.0%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,584	14	0.9%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,584	15	0.9%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,580	14	0.9%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,578	15	1.0%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,582	12	0.8%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,578	10	0.6%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,580	1	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,587	12	0.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,572	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,572	7	0.4%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,564	6	0.4%	4.2%	0

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

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 40 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 28 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 23 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 22 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 15 pupils

Hearing Impairment 8 pupils

Physical Disability 7 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

88.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

86.0%Positive

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

13.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree39%

agree44%

disagree9%

strongly disagree5%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree40%

agree47%

disagree9%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree30%

agree23%

disagree10%

strongly disagree5%

not applicable32%

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

yes16%

no84%

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

strongly agree31%

agree39%

disagree11%

strongly disagree14%

dont know6%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree48%

agree38%

disagree9%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree50%

agree38%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree50%

agree41%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

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

strongly agree49%

agree44%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree58%

agree38%

disagree2%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree36%

agree41%

disagree13%

strongly disagree4%

don't know6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes88%

no12%

Top Secondary Schools in Northumberland

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

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

Bedlington Academy

Good

location_on Bedlington, NE22 7DS

emoji_events #7 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

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

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.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Northumberland

The King Edward VI School

Queen Elizabeth High School

The Blyth Academy

Bede Academy

Ashington Academy

Bedlington Academy