Dryden School

Special
Local authority maintained
Ages 11 to 18

Ofsted: Outstanding

Shotley Gardens, Low Fell, Gateshead, Gateshead, NE9 5UROpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Dryden School is a special school in Gateshead for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 92 schools in Gateshead. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2015.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 24 June 2015, report published 16 July 2015

Overall effectiveness: Outstanding
Leadership and management: Outstanding
Sixth form provision: Outstanding

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Pupil numbers and mix

77 pupils on roll

Eligible for free school meals54.5%

54.5%, 28 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language13%

13%, 8.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Dryden School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Gibside School	0.5 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	0% met the expected standard
Haskel School	0.9 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	Not published
Furrowfield School	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 5.4
The Cedars Academy	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 0.9
Eslington Primary School	1 mile	Ofsted: Outstanding	6% met the expected standard

School details

School type: Community special school
Sector: Local authority maintained
Age range: 11 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Headteacher: Mrs Elizabeth Johnson
Phone: 01914203812
Website: drydenschool.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Shotley Gardens, Low Fell, Gateshead, Gateshead, NE9 5UR
Local authority: Gateshead
URN: 131200

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.