The Department for Education has published new GCSE performance data for secondary schools in the North East, revealing the best performing schools in each area. The results come just two weeks before secondary school applications for next year close on October 31.
Schools are ranked by three metrics for Key Stage 4 education: the percentage of pupils achieving GCSE Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, the percentage of pupils passing at least five GCSEs, and the average exam result for pupils in the school, based on an 'Attainment' score.
Best schools in Newcastle, Sunderland and Northumberland
In Newcastle, Gosforth Academy was the best performing school in regards to the percentage of pupils who gained a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, with 63.4%. Westfield School, a private school for girls in Gosforth, ranked best in the city for the percentage of pupils who passed at least five GCSEs, with 83.9%.
In Sunderland, Argyle House School was the best performing in regards to the percentage of pupils who gained a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, with 64%. It was also ranked best in the city for the percentage of pupils who passed at least five GCSEs, with 80%.
In Northumberland, Ponteland High School was the best performing in regards to the percentage of pupils who gained a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, with 62.8%. It was also ranked best for the percentage of pupils who passed at least five GCSEs, with 77.1%.
County Durham, South Tyneside and North Tyneside results
Teesdale School and Sixth Form was the best performing in County Durham, with 66.4% of pupils gaining a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, and 82.7% of pupils passing at least five GCSEs. Whitburn Church of England Academy was the best performing school in South Tyneside, with 49% of pupils gaining a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, and 72.9% of pupils passing at least five GCSEs.
Kings Priory School was the best performing school in North Tyneside, with 67.9% of pupils gaining a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, and 79.1% of pupils passing at least five GCSEs.
Progress 8 scores missing and national trends
Once again, this year's league tables are missing one key performance indicator which can help families choose schools. Progress 8 scores tracked how well pupil performance improved between the ages of 11 and 16. But due to Covid lockdowns, these figures couldn't be calculated for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years.
Overall, GCSE results were up slightly for state-funded schools in England. Just under half (46.3%) of pupils achieved grade 5 or higher in both English and Maths. That's up by 0.9 percentage points from 45.4% in 2024/25, and is up from 43.2% in 2018/19. The average GCSE score increased slightly from 4.61 to 4.62. That's still lower than the 4.67 record in the 2018/19 academic year, the last full one before the Covid pandemic.
There are also large differences across the country in terms of GCSE performance. Just 42.6% of pupils in the West Midlands achieved a Grade 5 or above in their English and Maths GCSEs, the lowest percentage in the country. In the North West it was 43.3%, in the North East 44.0%, and in the East Midlands it was also 44.0%. In Outer London, however, it was 55.0%, the highest proportion in the country. In Inner London it was 53.1%, and in the South East it was 48.4%.
You can see the performance of every school in England by using our interactive gadget. Type in the name of a school, or the local authority area, to see details of your school.
