Jesmond Park Academy Review 2026: A School Transformed Through Strong Leadership

When the Board of Education granted approval for a secondary school to open in Newcastle's Heaton area in 1924, few could have imagined the institution that would unfold almost a century later. The main building, opened formally in September 1928 with a royal visit from King George V and Queen Mary following weeks later, now stands as part of a completely modernised campus rebuilt in 2004. Jesmond Park Academy, renamed from Heaton Manor School in 2019, has undergone a dramatic transformation. Previously rated Inadequate in 2018, the school achieved a Good rating from Ofsted in June 2022, marking one of the rarest and most significant improvements in English secondary education. Today it serves 2,083 students aged 11 to 18 across a single, purpose-built site in Heaton, Newcastle, with a vibrant sixth form and increasingly confident results that place it in the top 25% of schools in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking).

The symmetrical 1920s architecture, though modernised, retains echoes of its formal dual-school past when separate entrances on Jesmond Park West and Newton Road served boys and girls respectively. The comprehensive rebuild of 2004 unified what were once scattered sites into a coherent campus where over 2,000 students now move between well-equipped teaching spaces. The atmosphere reflects the school's explicit commitment to inclusive education. Staff build strong relationships with pupils; behaviour is positive and calm. Teachers have demonstrated good subject knowledge, and the consistent application of behaviour strategies has had a transformative effect on the learning environment. Pupils from the highly diverse student population, with 53% identifying as ethnic minorities, report feeling respected and encouraged to celebrate their heritage. The school's commitment to this multicultural dimension runs deep, evident in the breadth of language provision and the active presence of cultural celebrations throughout the year.

Leadership change has been critical to the school's trajectory. David Merrifield took over as Head of School in September 2025, following the tenure of Steve Campbell, who had driven early recovery after the academy conversion in 2019. Merrifield brings continuity and fresh energy to a school still climbing toward sustained excellence. The academy operates within the Gosforth Group, a multi-academy trust that unites five schools under the shared motto of "Creating Futures." This partnership has provided crucial school-to-school support and steadied the school's journey from crisis to stability and now toward genuine strength.

At Attainment 8, the school achieved 50.6, which sits above the England average of 45.9. In 2024, the school ranks 1,109th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% of schools nationally. This reflects solid and reliable performance. Progress 8 scores of +0.29 indicate pupils make above-average progress from their starting points, a meaningful indicator given the school's diverse intake.

GCSE Attainment

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc), which encourages a broad academic diet across languages, sciences, and humanities, is entered by 28% of pupils. Of those, 4.75 average points are achieved per pupil, above the England average of 4.08. This signals that higher-attaining students are accessing a rigorous, knowledge-rich curriculum and performing well.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form serves approximately 300 students. At A-level, 53% of grades achieved A*-B, well above the England average of 47%. The sixth form ranks 968th in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle tier nationally. This is respectable performance, and suggests that progression from GCSE to post-16 is creating genuine momentum for the strongest learners.

The school follows a well-structured national curriculum with particular strength in ensuring breadth. Teachers help pupils build knowledge and skills across many subjects. The Period Seven programme, distinctive to the school, offers extensive after-school enrichment including academic booster lessons, sporting activities, and performance opportunities. This extended learning culture acknowledges that education happens beyond the timetabled day.

Science is described as a core faculty of significant size and success. The school also offers a comprehensive choice of languages and humanities, with Mandarin taught during transition programmes. Computing and Economics feature prominently in the STEM offer, with explicit focus on the North East's growing technology sector. The school explicitly encourages girls to pursue STEM, acknowledging the gender gap in computing and engineering industries. Food Technology, Art, and Media & Photography provide creative breadth alongside the academic core.

In the 2023/24 cohort, 52% of leavers progressed to university. Eight per cent secured apprenticeships, 15% entered employment directly, and 2% continued in further education. One student secured a place at Cambridge in the measurement period, and none at Oxford, indicating modest but present Oxbridge pathways. For sixth form leavers, progression to university is the predominant route, reflecting the academic culture established through strong GCSE performance.

The school is non-selective and operates as a community comprehensive, serving all students regardless of attainment at entry. The Year 7 admission process follows standard local authority coordinated admissions, with 310 places available annually. The school has been oversubscribed at primary entry (approximately 2.74 applications per place based on recent data), reflecting strong local demand and positive reputation recovery since academy conversion. For sixth form entry, progression is based on GCSE attainment and subject-specific prerequisites, though the school welcomes external applicants who meet entry criteria. No entrance examination or aptitude test is required at any entry point. The admissions authority is the school's governing body; families should contact the academy directly for current transition information and sixth form entry requirements.

Jesmond Park Academy has earned recognition for its arts provision, achieving an Artsmark Gold Award from Arts Council England. This reflects genuine investment in creative experience alongside traditional academics.

Music and Performing Arts

The Performing Arts programme sits at the heart of school life rather than as an optional extra. The school believes the arts are "what make us distinctively human," a philosophy evident in sustained productions. Recent years have seen full-stage productions of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe performed in three separate casts, the Heaton Shakespeare Festival (with auditions open to all), and end-of-year musicals. Mrs McGrath, the Performing Arts lead, ensures access is inclusive; students need not have a singing role to participate in major productions. A Performing Arts Ambassador programme develops student leadership. Two libraries (the main library and a second learning resource centre) support both curriculum and wider reading, with access during school hours, breaks, and after-school until 3:30pm.

Sports Facilities and Teams

Extensive sports facilities underpin a broad PE offer. A large sports hall accommodates badminton, basketball, netball, volleyball, short tennis, 5-a-side football, and cricket nets. A gymnasium facilities gymnastics, trampolining, handball, circuit training, and table tennis. A dedicated mirrored dance and fitness floor area allows for Dance GCSE and A-level PE, with a fitness suite providing weight machines and cardiovascular equipment including treadmills, rowers, exercise bikes, and cross-trainers. Outdoor facilities include two full-sized astroturfs, dedicated netball courts, six newly refurbished tennis courts, outdoor cricket nets, and extensive grass fields. Many teams compete regularly in leagues and cup competitions. Basketball, football, athletics, badminton, and cricket feature prominently; students are encouraged to join clubs for skill development and enjoyment alike.

Computing and STEM

Computing and Business subjects feature as dedicated faculties with A-level provision. Programming, cyber safety, and digital literacy are embedded across the curriculum. The school recognises the North East's position as the UK's fastest-growing tech cluster outside London and explicitly prepares students for entry into this growing sector.

Academic and Citizenship Activities

A Debating Society, originally founded in 2006 by the Department of Citizenship, hosts weekly competitions with structured arguments and judged outcomes. The school's senior debating team, historically titled "The Head Strong Club," has competed in the National Institute of Ideas Debating Matters competition and the English-Speaking Union Schools Mace. Amnesty International has an active student membership. Subject-specific booster lessons run across most subjects, allowing extended practice and support. Summer transition programmes for incoming Year 7 students include science projects, drama workshops, food technology sessions, and multi-sport "Olympics" events. Breakfast clubs are available from 8am, and a school counsellor supports pupils anxious about transition.

School day: 8:50am to 3:20pm. The school is located in Heaton, Newcastle, accessible by car (parking available at the academy) and public transport. The nearest MetroLink station is within reasonable walking distance; specific transport details are available from the school directly. School lunch facilities are on-site; families may arrange packed lunches. Uniform is required across all year groups. The school has no on-site nursery or formal before-school care, though various holiday clubs operate from the site during school breaks through external providers.

Recovery trajectory and sustained improvement. The school's Ofsted rating improved from Inadequate (2018) to Good (2022) in the space of four years under academy management. This is genuinely rare. However, a rating of Good indicates further room for growth. Parents should satisfy themselves that improvement is embedded across all departments and continues into 2025/26. The school does not yet sit in the elite or high-performing tiers nationally.

Communication concerns. The Ofsted report noted that "a significant minority of parents believe communication is not good enough." This reflects some challenge in home-school dialogue. Families should expect to engage proactively with the school and consider whether the communication channels meet their preferences.

Bullying concerns. The inspection found that "some parents and pupils feel their concerns about bullying are not always effectively addressed." While staff take bullying seriously, the school acknowledges this as an area requiring attention. Families with children who have experienced bullying elsewhere should discuss safeguarding protocols directly with the school.

SEND provision variation. The Ofsted report notes that "provision for pupils with SEND varies." The school operates as a regional centre for students with hearing impairment and offers specialist provision; however, support across the range of SEND may not be uniform. Families with children requiring specialist support should request a detailed discussion with the SENCO before admission.

Jesmond Park Academy is a school in genuine motion. The transformation from Inadequate to Good in four years under academy management is noteworthy and reflects strong leadership, staff commitment, and improved pupil behaviour. Results are solid and placed comfortably in the top 25% nationally for GCSE, with A-level performance inline with the middle tier. The arts provision is a genuine strength, evidenced by the Artsmark Gold award and sustained major productions. The diversity of the student population is celebrated, and the extended school day through Period Seven allows access to enrichment and booster support.

The school suits families seeking a non-selective comprehensive education in Newcastle's west end, where inclusive atmosphere, improving results, and increasing community confidence are priorities. It is best suited to pupils who thrive in a diverse, multicultural environment and who engage with the extended offer beyond the timetabled day. The main barrier is not academic selectivity but the school's recent recovery: for families wanting a school with a longer track record of sustained excellence, the school's journey may warrant careful consideration. For families committed to supporting a school in genuine and documented improvement, Jesmond Park Academy represents excellent value.