Queen Elizabeth High School
Whetstone Bridge Road, Hexham, NE46 3JBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Queen Elizabeth High School is a secondary school in Hexham for ages 13 to 18. It is one of the 171 schools in Northumberland. It ranks 4th of 16 secondary schools in Northumberland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 30 April 2024, report published 12 June 2024
- 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 30 April 2024
The school is a welcoming, supportive and positive place to learn. Pupils benefit from a rich and broad curriculum. Most pupils learn this curriculum effectively. They achieve well in national assessments and examinations. This is particularly the case in the large sixth form, from which many students go on to competitive courses at university. High expectations drive this achievement. The range of enrichment opportunities available to pupils is extensive. The extra- curricular programme encompasses the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, theatre visits and a school musical. In March, 70 pupils from the school rowing club competed in the regional regatta. Students in the sixth form recently organised a political debate involving local parliamentary candidates. These opportunities support pupils to thrive. Pupils feel safe at the school. They behave very well, both in and out of lessons. The school's programme for personal development helps them to become good citizens. Older pupils take on a range of leadership roles, including sports leadership and coaching younger pupils. The school was founded by a charter in 1599 bestowed by Queen Elizabeth I. The school has retained the original motto of 'outstanding eagerness to promote good learning'. This still rings true today.
What the school should improve
- There is some variation in how well teachers check pupils' understanding of the curriculum. This means that, on occasions, gaps in learning for some pupils, particularly those that are disadvantaged, are not clearly identified and addressed. The school should continue to develop strategies to better check pupils' understanding of the curriculum, so that teaching can be adapted to meet pupils' needs.
- Some pupils are less clear about the destinations available to them at the age of 16 than others. This means that they are not as well informed about their potential next steps in education, employment and training as they could be. The school should continue to strengthen the careers programme in Years 9 to 11 so that pupils develop deeper knowledge of careers and the world of work.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
301 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
151 students
Average A level grade B, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,299 pupils on roll, with places for 1,308
Schools near Queen Elizabeth High School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haydon Bridge High School | 5 miles | Report card: Urgent improvement to needs attention | Attainment 8: 35.1 |
| Prudhoe Community High School | 11 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.6 |
| Thorp Academy | 14 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 47.2 |
| Delta Independent School | 14 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 3.9 |
| Consett Academy | 14 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 44.2 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- HADRIAN LEARNING TRUST
- Age range
- 13 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Katie Innes
- Phone
- 01434610300
- Address
- Whetstone Bridge Road, Hexham, NE46 3JB
- Local authority
- Northumberland
- URN
- 143291
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.