Whitley Lodge First School, Whitley Bay

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Whitley Lodge First School on 7 areas: 7 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils achieve consistently well across the school."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, attend school very well."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have designed a curriculum that prioritises embedding the essential foundations that pupils need to learn well across a broad range of subjects."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders have developed a highly effective curriculum for the early years."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have high expectations of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have a secure and accurate understanding of the school's strengths and its priorities for improvement."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school provides an extensive programme of personal development, including personal, health, social and citizenship education and relationships education."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to refine and embed their identified priorities for improvement in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils".

In its own words: "Book a tour of our School for children due to start Reception in September 2027 If you are interested in your child joining Whitley Lodge First School in September 2027, please book here to meet the Headteacher and tour the school."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Book a tour of our School for children due to start Reception in September 2027"

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, dance, recorder and art.

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 9am and an open day on Monday 16 November 2026 at 9am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

For September 2026 entry, 46 families put Whitley Lodge First School as their first choice and 94 named it as one of their preferences, for 44 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Whitley Lodge First School are Coquet Park First School (0.4 miles, Outstanding); Southridge First School (0.5 miles, Good); Marine Park First School (0.9 miles, Good); and Appletree Gardens First School (1.3 miles, Good).

5.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (92%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 21 pupils (8.4%) received SEN support and 6 (2.4%) 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.

Whitley Lodge First School had 14 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Monkseaton (Tyne and Wear Metro Station), about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Whitley Lodge (e-bound), 120 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Whitley Lodge First 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 73 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in North Tyneside (232).

Whitley Lodge First School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Whitley Lodge First School are Whitley Bay High School (0.5 miles), Valley Gardens Middle School (0.6 miles), Monkseaton Coastal School (1.2 miles) and Marden Bridge Middle School (1.3 miles).