Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy
Chester le Street, DH3 2LP · Gateshead · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 8 secondary schools in Gateshead we can score, 9 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 — 4.0/10 against 750 of them, against 3.4/10 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 | 18 | 35% | 0.63 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 39.0 · 35 | 30% | 1.05 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.28 · 29 | 25% | 0.72 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.2 · 45 | 10% | 0.45 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.4% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 for 2023/24 was -0.28, indicating pupils did worse than nationally matched peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in December 2025 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Student Leadership Team, Reading Partners, VEX Robotics, and Sports Leaders, alongside Year 7 in-class support.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,334 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,496. 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 who start below the national median in Attainment 8? What specific support is available for Year 7 students during their transition? How are the separate Ofsted grades from the December 2025 inspection being addressed in daily teaching?
What Ofsted said about Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils "achieve well, enjoy their learning and blossom" within a "welcoming" environment. Leaders have established a "harmonious culture" with "calm, orderly and respectful" behaviour, while attendance has seen "significant year-on-year gains" and is now above national averages.
Strengths
- Attendance is a "strength" with "significant year-on-year gains" and reductions in persistent absence.
- Behaviour is "calm, orderly and respectful," with pupils described as "courteous and eager to learn."
- Disadvantaged pupils’ attainment has improved and is now "above the national average."
- Governors provide "highly effective oversight," holding leaders "robustly to account."
- Pupils feel "safe and secure" with "excellent relationships" with staff and peers.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure teaching is "consistently adapted" so disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs can "access learning fully."
- Staff should strengthen checks on pupils' understanding to ensure this information is used "consistently to deepen pupils' knowledge."
- Leaders should continue to embed the revised post-16 curriculum so it is "implemented effectively across subjects."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are "made safer and feel safe."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.1 |
| 2024/25 | 46.6 |
| 2025/26 | 45.2 |
| 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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