The Duchess's Community High School

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 18

Ofsted: Requires improvement

Taylor Drive, Alnwick, NE66 2DHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Duchess's Community High School is a secondary school in Alnwick for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 171 schools in Northumberland. It ranks 12th of 16 secondary schools in Northumberland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Requires improvement, from an inspection in October 2021.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 19 October 2021, report published 2 December 2021

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

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

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

253 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score43.2

43.2, 2.9 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths37.5%

37.5%, 7.9 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths62.5%

62.5%, 2.3 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc15%

15%, 25.5 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.62

3.62, 0.47 below the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

84 students

Average point score per A level entry31.81

31.81, 3.19 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C+, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,276 pupils on roll, with places for 1,651

Eligible for free school meals17%

17%, 9.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.3%

2.3%, 19.3 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.2%

13.2%, 1.6 percentage points below 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 The Duchess's Community High School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Coquet Community School	6 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 34.9
The King Edward VI School	15 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding	Attainment 8: 52.2
Ashington Academy	16 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 47.1
NCEA Duke's Secondary School	16 miles	Ofsted: Requires improvement	Attainment 8: 32.0
St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy	19 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 41.3

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: PELE TRUST
Age range: 11 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: Yes
Headteacher: Mr James Wilson
Phone: 01665602166
Website: dchs-alnwick.org (opens in a new tab)
Address: Taylor Drive, Alnwick, NE66 2DH
Local authority: Northumberland
URN: 150196

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.