The King Edward VI School, Morpeth

In its own words: "Our overriding aim is to foster academic and personal development in a caring and challenging environment so that each individual can achieve their potential and become an accomplished student."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to our school. The King Edward VI School is a high achieving school, with a reputation for academic excellence for all. We provide for over 1400 students from years 9-13 and have a thriving Sixth Form of around 450 students. We pride ourselves on being a fully inclusive and truly comprehensive school built on traditional principles and high standards."

Coming up: an open evening on Thursday 17 June 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at The King Edward VI School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 51.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.9 in Northumberland and 47 across England.

57% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 41% in Northumberland and 47% in England.

That is down from 52.2 in 2025.

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 36.8, against 53.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Art and Design.

For September 2018 entry, 315 families put The King Edward VI School as their first choice and 332 named it as one of their preferences, for 315 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2018 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to The King Edward VI School are Morpeth Chantry Middle School (0.3 miles, Good); Morpeth Newminster Middle School (0.4 miles, Good); Kyloe House (1.5 miles); and St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy (4.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43.6).

The King Edward VI School is one of 18 schools run by Cheviot Learning Trust, an academy trust.

387 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The King Edward VI School (as of September 2025): 87% would recommend the school, 86% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

Of the 324 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 86% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 34% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

Of the 204 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 51% went on to university or other higher education, 7% to apprenticeships and 26% into work. 25% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

12.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Railway station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Pottery Bank (southbound), 270 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 82 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Northumberland (44), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The King Edward VI School issued 74 suspensions, 5.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to The King Edward VI School are St Roberts Catholic First School, Morpeth (0.5 miles); Morpeth All Saints Church of England First School (0.6 miles); Abbeyfields First School (0.7 miles); and Morpeth Stobhillgate First School (1.3 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.