Best 3 Secondary schools in Tyne and Wear – comparison

Q: How are these comparisons built?

We align public datasets side-by-side. Headline Ofsted judgement and publication date are shown when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; free users see rounded values.

Q: What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded Section 8 visits do not replace the last graded judgement. We continue to show the latest graded judgement until a new graded inspection is published.

Q: Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are Pro features. Everyone can still compare approximate values.

Q: How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then consider distance and travel, roll versus capacity, and the admissions policy. Visit the school, ask about pastoral support and enrichment, and ensure it fits your child’s needs.

Q: What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; review capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and look at trust or local authority governance. Read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding details.

Comparison of secondary schools: Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead (Secondary) in Gateshead; Whitley Bay High School (Secondary) in Whitley Bay; St Mary's Catholic School (Secondary) in Newcastle-upon-Tyne — covering Ofsted outcomes, size, FSM%, governance, capacity & more.

At a glance

This page compares Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead, Whitley Bay High School and St Mary's Catholic School. They are secondary phase and academy converter and foundation school type located around Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The strongest headline Ofsted judgement here is 1 (Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead), published Jul 2024. The most recent inspection on record is for Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead (Jul 2024). average roll around ≈ 1,550, combined total ≈ 4,700, typical FSM 15–20%, range 5–10%–20–25%; spread across trusts such as BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST and BISHOP BEWICK CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST.

🔒 Export (Pro)

Attribute	Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead NE9 6RZ	Whitley Bay High School NE25 9AS	St Mary's Catholic School NE7 7PE
Phase / Type	Secondary • Academy converter	Secondary • Foundation school	Secondary • Academy converter
Location	Gateshead Tyne and Wear NE9 6RZ	Whitley Bay Tyne and Wear NE25 9AS	Newcastle-upon-Tyne Tyne and Wear NE7 7PE
Latest Ofsted	1 8 Jul 2024	1 24 Jun 2024	1 19 Oct 2023
Ofsted report	—	—	—
Pupils (roll)	≈ 1,500 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,750 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,450 🔒 Unlock exact pupils
FSM %	20–25% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	5–10% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	20–25% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %
Capacity	1465	1700	1395
Capacity utilisation	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %
Age range	—	—	—
Gender	Mixed	Mixed	Mixed
Admissions policy	Non-selective	Non-selective	Non-selective
Trust / Local authority	BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST	North Tyneside (392)	BISHOP BEWICK CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Website	www.cardinalhume.com	www.whitleybayhighschool.org	stmarysnewcastle.co.uk
Telephone	01914877638	01917317070	01912153260
SEN provision	None reported	None reported	None reported
Profile	View profile	View profile	View profile

Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead

NE9 6RZ

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Gateshead
Tyne and Wear
NE9 6RZ
Ofsted: 1 8 Jul 2024
Pupils: ≈ 1,500 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 20–25% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Website: www.cardinalhume.com
Telephone: 01914877638

Whitley Bay High School

NE25 9AS

Phase / Type: Secondary • Foundation school
Location: Whitley Bay
Tyne and Wear
NE25 9AS
Ofsted: 1 24 Jun 2024
Pupils: ≈ 1,750 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 5–10% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: North Tyneside (392)
Website: www.whitleybayhighschool.org
Telephone: 01917317070

St Mary's Catholic School

NE7 7PE

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE7 7PE
Ofsted: 1 19 Oct 2023
Pupils: ≈ 1,450 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 20–25% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: BISHOP BEWICK CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Website: stmarysnewcastle.co.uk
Telephone: 01912153260

Map of compared schools

How are these comparisons built?

We line up public school data side-by-side. Ofsted “headline” judgement is shown with the publication date when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; everyone sees rounded values.

What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded visits (Section 8) check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but do not replace it. We keep the latest graded judgement as the headline until a new graded inspection is published.

Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, we show approximate pupils and bucketed FSM% to free users. Upgrade to AllSchools Pro to unlock precise figures and exports.

How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then check whether it aligns with your child’s needs. Look at distance and travel, typical class sizes (roll vs capacity), and the school’s admissions policy. Speak to the school, arrange a visit, and ask about pastoral support and enrichment.

What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; scan capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and review trust/local authority for governance. If available, read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding detail.

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