Bedlington Academy
Palace Road, Bedlington, NE22 7DSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Bedlington Academy is a secondary school in Bedlington for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 171 schools in Northumberland. It ranks 8th of 16 secondary schools in Northumberland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 13 September 2022, report published 16 October 2022
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 13 September 2022
This is a calm, purposeful and happy school. Pupils and adults interact warmly. Pupils know that adults care about them and feel confident that they can report any concerns or worries. Behaviour routines and systems are simple and well understood by pupils. Teachers have consistently high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils strive to meet these expectations both in lessons and around the school site. Leaders have created a culture of respect. Use of discriminatory language is rare. Pupils report it to adults when they hear it. Leaders act quickly to ensure that any bullying or discrimination is dealt with. As a result, pupils feel safe. One pupil told inspectors that most pupils 'just get along'. Inspectors agree. This is a school with a strong sense of community. Pupils enjoy coming to school and enjoy the wide range of clubs that they can attend. Fishing club is a particular favourite. Pupils in the sixth form gain leadership experience by joining the 'student executive' and working with school leaders on issues such as support for pupils' mental health. In some cases, sixth-form pupils act as reading mentors for younger pupils. The prefect system in the main school gives pupils a voice in decisions that affect them. For example, pupils were consulted about the recent changes to uniform. It is worn with pride by most pupils.
What the school should improve
- Some pupils do not recall some subject-specific terms and concepts clearly. This means they do not progress through the planned curriculum as rapidly as they might. Leaders should ensure that pupils are given regular chances to talk about what they have learned in order to develop fluency and confidence when recalling learning.
- Careers guidance and information is not woven through subject curriculums. This means that some pupils are not aware of the breadth of opportunities available to them after they leave Bedlington Academy. Leaders should ensure that meaningful careers information is woven through all aspects of the school curriculum.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
141 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
28 students
Average A level grade B-, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
822 pupils on roll, with places for 850
Schools near Bedlington Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Blyth Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 49.2 |
| St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.3 |
| Bede Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 48.9 |
| NCEA Duke's Secondary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 32.0 |
| Ashington Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 47.1 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- NORTH EAST LEARNING TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Joanna Lamb
- Phone
- 01670822625
- Address
- Palace Road, Bedlington, NE22 7DS
- Local authority
- Northumberland
- URN
- 144977
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.