Morpeth Road Academy, Blyth
Morpeth Road Academy is a primary school for pupils aged 2 to 11 in Blyth, part of Wise Academies. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2026, ended in a report card: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Before that it was rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in March 2022. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 4th-highest of the 9 schools in Blyth with published results, and 6,288th of 14,452 across England. It was 58% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted report card
- 6 of 7 areas strong or better
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Northumberland (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Morpeth Road Academy in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 30 June 2026 inspection grades Morpeth Road Academy on 7 areas: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Achievement - Strong standard. "Over the previous three years, pupils' outcomes have rapidly improved."
Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have created and embedded a highly effective curriculum."
Early years - Strong standard. "The early years area of school is an inspiring place to be."
Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have created a highly inclusive school."
Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders, trustees and governors work constructively to continually drive improvements in a careful and planned way."
Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have planned out a comprehensive and effective personal development and wellbeing programme."
Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have a comprehensive approach to tracking pupils' attendance and behaviour."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should further embed the school's approach to behaviour management to strengthen relationships and enable all pupils to flourish in their learning and play".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Results
In 2025, 82% of Year 6 pupils at Morpeth Road Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 76% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 72% in Northumberland and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 60% in reading and 60% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Morpeth Road Academy
For September 2026 entry, 26 families put Morpeth Road Academy as their first choice and 40 named it as one of their preferences, for 26 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Morpeth Road Academy are Malvin's Close Academy (0.4 miles, Outstanding, 79% reading, 79% maths); St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School (0.7 miles, Requires improvement, 64% reading, 53% maths); Horton Grange Primary School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, 80% reading, 85% maths); and Croftway Academy (1.1 miles, Outstanding, 81% reading, 78% maths).
Morpeth Road Academy's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.
Malvin's Close AcademySt Wilfrid's Catholic Primary SchoolHorton Grange Primary SchoolCroftway Academy
The trust
Morpeth Road Academy is one of 18 schools run by Wise Academies, an academy trust.
Who goes there
53.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 12.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (83%) and Asian (6%).
In 2026, 77 pupils (30.4%) received SEN support and 25 (9.9%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.
Staffing
Morpeth Road Academy had 21 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Blyth Bebside Rail Station, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Crematorium (opposite), 50 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Morpeth Road Academy stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 286 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Northumberland (44), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Morpeth Road Academy issued 17 suspensions, 5.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Morpeth Road Academy are The Blyth Academy (0.8 miles), Bede Academy (1 mile) and Bedlington Academy (1.3 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- AchievementStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
- Early yearsStrong standard
- InclusionStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
Safeguarding standards: met
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at Morpeth Road Academy
At Morpeth Road Academy, pupils are highly valued by staff and one another. As a result, they develop a secure sense of belonging. Children in their early years thrive in a well-equipped setting. This environment sparks their curiosity and love for learning. Children receive great care from skilled staff. The staff know the children's needs and take great care in ensuring that they are met. Throughout the school, pupils are familiar with the morning routines and follow them consistently. They take responsibility for organising their belongings. Once in class, they settle down quickly to start their learning. When pupils need extra help, staff make appropriate adjustments to help them feel calm and ready to learn. Pupils enjoy their playtimes. They feel safe and cared for. Pupils frequently show tolerance and kindness. If bullying occurs, staff deal with it promptly and effectively. New pupils to the school receive a warm welcome and quickly establish friendships. Pupils are curious about different cultures and faiths. They enjoy learning about these from each other in assemblies and during their lessons. Pupils engage well in their learning and usually stay focused. They complete work to an increasingly high standard. As a result, most pupils are well prepared for the next steps in their education. Where pupils may face barriers to learning, these are carefully and swiftly identified. The support pupils get helps them tackle these challenges, allowing them to make some progress through the curriculum. Pupils value the broad range of activities provided for them outside the classroom. They recall trips to the beach, museums and art galleries. A range of after-school activities provides opportunities for pupils to develop new skills. These include weaving, sewing, learning another language and playing the guitar.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders should further embed the school's approach to behaviour management to strengthen relationships and enable all pupils to flourish in their learning and play.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 30 June 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's June 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Morpeth Road Academy excels at teaching children to read and calculate with precision through a carefully planned curriculum. The school is genuinely inclusive, providing targeted support that helps all children, including those with additional needs, to thrive alongside their peers. Your child will benefit from inspiring early years provision, skilled teaching, and a wealth of enriching experiences that broaden their horizons and develop strong character.
Key Strengths
- Rapidly improving pupil outcomes, especially in reading and phonics which are now above national average
- Highly effective, well-sequenced curriculum that builds knowledge over time with strong teaching of phonics and communication skills
- Excellent inclusive provision for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, who achieve particularly well compared to national averages
- Strong early years provision with skilled staff who expertly develop children's language and early literacy skills
- Comprehensive personal development programme including enriching visits, workshops and the school 'Pledge' to broaden pupils' experiences
Areas for Improvement
- Attendance levels need further improvement, though they are now close to national averages
- Pupils occasionally do not maintain high behavioural expectations with less familiar staff members
- Handwriting, spelling and grammar improvements are ongoing, though rapidly progressing
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and acted upon, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Police workshops, Royal National Lifeboat Institution sessions, museum visits, gallery visits, historic house visits, career exploration activities, ambulance hub visits, assemblies led by pupils from different cultures
Morpeth Road Academy is a strong performing school where pupils' outcomes have rapidly improved over three years, with particularly strong results in phonics and reading. The school has created a highly inclusive environment with ambitious support for all learners, including those with additional needs.
At a Glance
53.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 60% to 82% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 60% to 76% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 60% to 71% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
20.0
Avg class size
20.5
Infant (KS1)
22.2
KS2
12
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Morpeth Road Academy
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Morpeth Road Academy from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Morpeth Road Academy is in Northumberland; for families living there:
Apply to Northumberland for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 17
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 5
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 17 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 5 serious and 11 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
5 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Northumberland is 3 (the median across 175 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Morpeth Road Academy
Will you get a place at Morpeth Road Academy? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Morpeth Road Academy's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Morpeth Road Academy:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Morpeth Road Academy.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Northumberland, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Morpeth Road Academy for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Northumberland got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
58%
Available places
245 pupils
420 places
175 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Blyth
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Blyth
Across Northumberland council
Places available
3,735
Applications
2,569
Got 1st preference
96.8%
Got preferred school
98.6%
All primary applications across Northumberland council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(5)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
77
SEN Support
25
EHC Plans
40.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
253
Total Pupils
115
Boys
138
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
21
Teachers
12.0:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£52,269
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,332
Per pupil
£1894k
Total funding
£206k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.2%
Overall absence
14.3%
Persistent absence
223
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Morpeth Road Academy
Questions parents ask about Morpeth Road Academy
What are SATs results like at Morpeth Road Academy?
Of the pupils at Morpeth Road Academy who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 82% reached the expected standard in reading and 76% did so in maths.
What is Morpeth Road Academy's Ofsted rating?
Morpeth Road Academy's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in March 2022, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Morpeth Road Academy?
No fixed boundary. When Morpeth Road Academy is oversubscribed, Northumberland allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Morpeth Road Academy?
Morpeth Road Academy was not full in 2025: it ran at 58% of its 420 places.
How big are the classes at Morpeth Road Academy?
Classes at Morpeth Road Academy average 20 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Morpeth Road Academy?
Morpeth Road Academy has around 253 pupils on roll. 53% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Morpeth Road Academy?
6.2% of sessions were missed at Morpeth Road Academy in 2024/25. 14.3% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Morpeth Road Academy?
Apply through Northumberland's coordinated admissions process, naming Morpeth Road Academy on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Morpeth Road Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 17 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 5 serious and 11 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 5 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Northumberland is 3 (the median across 175 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Morpeth Road Academy?
Morpeth Road Academy is at Bates Avenue, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 5TQ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)