John Spence Community High School

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 16

Ofsted: Requires improvement

Preston Road, North Shields, NE29 9PUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

John Spence Community High School is a secondary school in North Shields for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 83 schools in North Tyneside. It ranks 11th of 11 secondary schools in North Tyneside. Its latest Ofsted rating is Requires improvement, from an inspection in June 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 6 June 2023, report published 12 July 2023

Overall effectiveness: Requires improvement
Quality of education: Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Requires improvement
Safeguarding: Met

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

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

154 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score41.0

41.0, 5.1 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths28.6%

28.6%, 16.8 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths50%

50%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc6.5%

6.5%, 34 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.46

3.46, 0.63 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

872 pupils on roll, with places for 885

Eligible for free school meals51.3%

51.3%, 24.8 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language5.6%

5.6%, 16 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support19.4%

19.4%, 4.6 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.4%

4.4%, 1.6 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near John Spence Community High School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Marden High School	0.5 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 55.1
Monkseaton High School	0.8 miles	Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good	Attainment 8: 41.0
St Thomas More Catholic High School	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 49.6
Kings Priory School	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 57.1
Norham High School	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 42.7

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: PELE TRUST
Age range: 11 to 16
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: No
Headteacher: Katie Marshall
Phone: 01912961432
Website: johnspence.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Preston Road, North Shields, NE29 9PU
Local authority: North Tyneside
URN: 150195

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.