The hardest schools to get into in Gateshead
Secondary: 95 families put XP Gateshead first in 2026 and 41 of them (43%) were offered a place.
Reception: 36 families put St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Low Fell first in 2026 and 29 of them (81%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Gateshead with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | XP Gateshead · Felling | 95 | 41 (43%) | 50 |
| 2 | Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead · Gateshead · faith | 363 | 252 (69%) | 257 |
| 3 | St Thomas More Catholic School, Blaydon · Blaydon-on-Tyne · faith | 263 | 231 (88%) | 244 |
| 4 | Whickham School · Newcastle-upon-Tyne | 289 | 263 (91%) | 279 |
| 5 | Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy · Chester le Street | 260 | 255 (98%) | 272 |
| 6 | Grace College · Gateshead | 134 | 133 (99%) | 202 |
| 7 | Thorp Academy · Ryton | 205 | 205 (100%) | 242 |
| 8 | Heworth Grange School · Gateshead | 152 | 152 (100%) | 207 |
| 9 | Kingsmeadow Community School · Gateshead | 136 | 136 (100%) | 175 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Gateshead
What is the hardest school to get into in Gateshead?
For secondary places, 95 families put XP Gateshead first in 2026 and 41 of them (43%) were offered a place. For Reception, 36 families put St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Low Fell first and 29 of them (81%) were offered a place.
How many families in Gateshead get their first-choice school?
87.1% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 98.1% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Gateshead published it in its admissions booklet.