Benfield School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Benfield School creates a welcoming environment where pupils feel valued and supported. The school has made real improvements to behaviour and discipline, and provides excellent care for pupils with special needs, ensuring they are fully included in school life. Your child will have strong opportunities to develop their character and build confidence through enrichment activities and community involvement.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on reading with effective intervention for weaker readers
- Well-integrated SEND provisions with staff who understand pupils' needs
- Improved behavioural culture using a relational approach
- Effective personal development programme covering health, relationships, and citizenship
- Good support for pupils to develop resilience and aspiration through university transitions and external partnerships
Areas for Improvement
- Teaching strategies not consistently applied across all lessons, slowing pupil progress
- Exam and assessment outcomes remain well below national averages
- High levels of persistent absence, particularly affecting disadvantaged pupils
- Some pupils not engaging with behavioural expectations and at risk of repeated suspensions
- Curriculum leadership still developing, slowing planned improvements
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with clear procedures in place to keep pupils safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Badminton, cookery, chess, university trips, overseas visits to Spain and Holland, language festivals, culture days, Newcastle United Foundation resilience programmes
Benfield School is a warm and welcoming secondary school that emphasises community values, where pupils feel safe and happy. However, the quality of education requires improvement, with exam results remaining well below national averages despite recent curriculum changes.
At a Glance
69.2%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, PD - Physical Disability
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
69 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
24.0
Avg class size
30
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
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What are my chances?
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
79%
Available places
819 pupils
1,035 capacity
216 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Admissions Demand - Newcastle upon Tyne
Places available
2,467
Applications
2,592
Got 1st preference
79.7%
Got preferred school
93.9%
Secondary admissions across Newcastle upon Tyne (2025/26)
Inspection History(5)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
14.26417%
Overall absence
37.23077%
Persistent absence
975
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Benfield School
Walkergate Community School
Western Community Primary School
Ravenswood Primary School
St Alban's Catholic Primary School, Walker
St Columba's Catholic Primary School, Wallsend
Chillingham Road Primary School
Carville Academy
Carville Primary School
St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Heaton
Redesdale Primary School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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