Bedlington Academy
Bedlington, NE22 7DS · Northumberland · secondary school
Check the area around this school
6th of 16 secondary schools in Northumberland we can score, 27 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.7/10 against 707 of them, against 5.1/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 51.5 · 66 | 30% | 1.98 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.26 · 30 | 25% | 0.76 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.6 · 58 | 10% | 0.58 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bedlington Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 44.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.26 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Combined Cadet Force. Sports include football, tag rugby, netball, trampolining, table tennis, badminton, cricket, and athletics. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 822 pupils against a stated capacity of 850. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How accessible is the after-school club for families with varying work schedules?
What Ofsted said about Bedlington Academy
Overview
Bedlington Academy is described as a “calm, purposeful and happy school” where pupils and adults interact warmly. Leaders have established a “culture of respect” and a “strong sense of community,” ensuring pupils feel safe and confident in reporting concerns. The school is judged as “Good” across all inspection categories, including the quality of education, behaviour, and leadership.
Strengths
- A “broad curriculum” is successfully developed, with growing participation in modern foreign languages, drama, and music, reflecting leaders’ commitment to cultural development.
- Teachers use “consistent” assessment strategies and “gentle persistence” in questioning to help pupils deepen their thinking and retain key knowledge.
- The school is highly inclusive, with teachers adapting the curriculum for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) using clear information provided by leaders.
- Reading is central to the curriculum, with targeted support for early readers and staff trained in phonics helping pupils become “confident readers.”
- Sixth-form pupils gain leadership experience through the ‘student executive’ and act as reading mentors, contributing to a professional atmosphere.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure pupils are given regular opportunities to discuss their learning to develop fluency and confidence in recalling subject-specific terms and concepts.
- Meaningful careers information should be woven through all aspects of the school curriculum, as it is currently not integrated into subject-specific teaching.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with thorough record-keeping, swift action on concerns, and staff who are confident in identifying signs of vulnerability.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.2 |
| 2024/25 | 47.4 |
| 2025/26 | 47.6 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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