Northfield School and Sports College
Thames Road, Billingham, TS22 5EGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Northfield School and Sports College is a secondary school in Billingham for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 86 schools in Stockton-on-Tees. It ranks 7th of 13 secondary schools in Stockton-on-Tees. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 15 February 2023, report published 30 March 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 15 February 2023
Pupils benefit from a broad and balanced curriculum with personal development running through its heart. Leaders and teachers expect the best of pupils. The school's values of 'respect, honesty and resilience' are commonly understood. Pupils are polite and outgoing. They are keen to talk to visitors about life in school. Many of them enjoy the wider opportunities that are on offer. For example, the school production of 'Sister Act' that was taking place during the inspection involved nearly 100 pupils. Lessons are purposeful. Pupils behave well in classrooms. There is a healthy buzz of positivity on the corridors although there are times when pupils misbehave between lessons. Very occasionally bullying occurs. Whenever either of these happen, leaders manage it well. Leaders value the views of pupils. For example, the pupils who are part of the 'teaching and learning group' meet with senior leaders to tell them about their experiences in lessons. Leaders use this feedback, along with other monitoring, to continuously improve pupils' experiences in school. Staff and pupils get on well. Strong and effective pastoral care is available. This helps pupils to be safe and feel safe. Staff help pupils who struggle with their behaviour to turn things around. Pupils value the mental health support that is available in school.
What the school should improve
- A small minority of staff teach subjects that are outside of their main subject specialism and lack the necessary expert knowledge needed to teach these subjects with consistent effectiveness. This means that some pupils' knowledge is not deepened in some lessons. Leaders needs to develop teachers' expertise so that those teaching outside of their main area of expertise can implement the curriculum effectively.
- Some pupils do not attend school as regularly as they should. Consequently, these pupils have some gaps in their learning. Leaders and those responsible for governance need to ensure that recent initiatives to improve attendance are closely monitored and where necessary enhanced to secure regular attendance from all pupils.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
288 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,522 pupils on roll, with places for 1,650
Schools near Northfield School and Sports College
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Michael's Catholic Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.9 |
| Red House School | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 69.8 |
| North Shore Academy | 3 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 48.2 |
| Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | Attainment 8: 31.1 |
| Our Lady & St. Bede Catholic Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 43.3 |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr R. J. Henderson
- Phone
- 01642557373
- Address
- Thames Road, Billingham, TS22 5EG
- Local authority
- Stockton-on-Tees
- URN
- 111731
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.