Schools across Northumberland

Local authority · 178 schools across 35 towns

Total Schools

178

127 primary · 29 secondary

Total Pupils

43,653

81% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

58

9 outstanding · 49 good

Capacity

54,037

10,384 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

49
114
Outstanding: 9
Good: 49
Requires Improvement: 6
Not inspected: 114

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

68.4%

KS2 Maths

66.8%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

78% full
20,139 pupils25,797 capacity

5,658 spare places

Secondary Schools

80% full
19,198 pupils23,961 capacity

4,763 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

6.1%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

14.3%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

158

2024/25

Absence trend across Northumberland schools

4.7%
18/19
4.6%
20/21
7.1%
21/22
6.5%
22/23
6.7%
23/24
6.1%
24/25

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

47%

Plans Issued

743

Assessment Requests

1,021

Tribunal Cases

16

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

80%
2019
86%
2020
80%
2021
66%
2022
41%
2023
47%
2024

Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.

Admission Appeals

2025 admission appeals by school phase

Primary

3,193 admissions

31

Lodged

(1.0%)

20

Heard

11

Successful

(55%)

Primary (infant classes)

2,931 admissions

20

Lodged

(0.7%)

13

Heard

7

Successful

(54%)

Secondary

4,577 admissions

148

Lodged

(3.2%)

115

Heard

43

Successful

(37%)

Total

7,770 admissions

179

Lodged

(2.3%)

135

Heard

54

Successful

(40%)

Total appeals lodged per year

171
2019
337
2020
483
2021
474
2022
413
2023
342
2024
378
2025

Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.