Ponteland High School, Ponteland

In its own words: "We are proud of our school and believe we offer an excellent environment in which to support your son or daughter as they approach a crucial stage in their education."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Ponteland High we are committed to establishing ourselves as an excellent school; one that is the school of choice for parents. In order to make this a reality we are focused on ensuring that students are fully supported, yet challenged to push themselves beyond what they think they are capable of."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, tennis, badminton, debating and Duke of Edinburgh.

In 2026, pupils at Ponteland High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 53.4, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.9 in Northumberland and 47 across England.

63% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 41% in Northumberland and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 53.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.13: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 39.5, against 55.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.4 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 27 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, French and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 273 families put Ponteland High School as their first choice and 507 named it as one of their preferences, for 235 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 40 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Ponteland High School are Callerton Academy (3.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41.6); Walbottle Academy (3.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.3); Great Park Academy (3.6 miles, Good); and Studio West (3.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 33).

Ponteland High School's 2026 results were higher than all 3 of them.

Ponteland High School is one of 14 schools run by Pele Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 255 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 91% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 33% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 145 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 61% went on to university or other higher education, 5% to apprenticeships and 21% into work. 31% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

10.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (87%) and Asian (6%).

In 2026, 139 pupils (9%) received SEN support and 42 (2.7%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Newcastle Airport (Tyne and Wear Metro Station), about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Community High School (near), 120 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Ponteland High School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 20 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Northumberland (44).

In 2024/25, Ponteland High School issued 42 suspensions, 2.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Ponteland High School are Ponteland Community Primary School (under 0.1 miles), Richard Coates Church of England Primary School (0.7 miles), Ponteland Primary School (0.7 miles) and Darras Hall Primary School (0.9 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.