Thorp Academy
Ryton, NE40 3AH · Gateshead · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th 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 — 7.4/10 against 879 of them, against 6.3/10 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 | 58.5 · 79 | 30% | 2.38 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.12 · 41 | 25% | 1.03 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.8 · 69 | 10% | 0.69 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Thorp Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.12 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly 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 (6.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,442 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,740. 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 to raise their Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Thorp Academy
Overview
Thorp Academy is confirmed as a "good school" following an ungraded inspection. The report describes it as an "inclusive and ambitious school" where staff are "committed to supporting and developing every pupil." Pupils benefit from a "calm and orderly" environment with a "positive learning environment," achieving well through a broad curriculum that caters to diverse needs.
Strengths
- The school offers a "broad and ambitious curriculum" that is "well sequenced," allowing pupils to build knowledge progressively.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive "specific, personalised support" and "achieve well from their individual starting points."
- The school "prioritises reading," providing targeted support in phonics and fluency while promoting a "love for reading" through various initiatives.
- Attendance work is described as "exemplary," having reduced absence levels to national averages.
- Staff workload is "manageable," and leaders "prioritise staff’s well-being," contributing to a positive staff culture.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must use retrieval activities more effectively and provide sufficient opportunities for pupils to "discuss and debate their ideas" to secure essential knowledge.
- The school should ensure teachers receive the "pedagogical training and development they need" to deepen pupils’ understanding with greater consistency.
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 | 47.0 |
| 2024/25 | 47.2 |
| 2025/26 | 49.8 |
| 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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