Newcastle Academy
Newcastle Under Lyme, ST5 2QS · Staffordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
48th of 56 secondary schools in Staffordshire we can score, 70 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.1/10 against 520 of them, against 0.1/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 13.6 · 1 | 30% | 0.02 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.19 · 1 | 25% | 0.03 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 31.9 · 2 | 10% | 0.02 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Newcastle Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.19 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (1.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 441 pupils against a stated capacity of 647. 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 close the gap between their current Attainment 8 and the national median? What specific strategies are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Newcastle Academy
Overview
Newcastle Academy is rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, marking a significant improvement from its previous ‘Requires improvement’ judgement. The report highlights a strong sense of community, with pupils demonstrating the school’s values of ‘honour, positivity and excellence’ and enjoying positive relationships with staff. Leaders have implemented effective changes to curriculum planning and staff training, ensuring that pupils, including those with special educational needs, are well prepared for future qualifications.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘broad and balanced’, with effective sequencing that allows pupils to access a full range of subjects in Years 7 to 9.
- Staff receive a ‘clearly planned programme of training’, enabling them to challenge pupils to think independently and check prior learning effectively.
- ‘Personalised plans’ support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to make progress in line with their peers by removing barriers to learning.
- Behaviour is generally good, with ‘bullying [being] rare’ and staff dealing with issues rapidly; pupils understand that inappropriate language is not acceptable.
- A ‘strong culture of safeguarding’ is in place, supported by a well-planned PSHE programme and guest speakers on topics such as knife crime and consent.
Areas to improve
- Attendance remains a key priority, as ‘too many pupils are absent each day’, causing them to miss learning and limiting progress.
- The school has not fully developed systems to support all pupils struggling with reading; those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils are ‘not making sufficient progress’ with phonics, grammar, and comprehension.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 30.5 |
| 2024/25 | 37.6 |
| 2025/26 | 31.9 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of ST5 2QS, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT