The school began as a technical college for boys in 1954 , and has since evolved into Newcastle's only Catholic co-educational secondary school. Today, spanning years 7-13 with approximately 1,400 pupils, it holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating and combines genuine academic ambition with a vibrant Catholic ethos rooted in service and social responsibility.
New facilities were completed in 2011, including a chapel, main hall and modern sports complex . The school's motto, "Auxilium Christianorum" (Help of Christians) , reflects its Catholic identity while the school logo features the Fleur-de-lis, representing the Mother of God, and three castles symbolising Newcastle.
Results place the school firmly in England's academic upper tier. The school ranks 832nd nationally for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it in the top 25% of schools in England. At A-level, the picture strengthens further, with a rank of 549th nationally. These consistent results reflect a school that challenges students without overwhelming them, delivering solid outcomes across a broad curriculum.
The school serves a mixed intake across Newcastle and surrounding areas. Entry to Year 7 is selective by Faith criteria, with the majority of places reserved for Catholic families. The school remains notably oversubscribed; in the most recent admissions cycle, the school received 995 applications for just 225 places, with 4.4 applications per place offered.
Catholic values permeate daily life here without feeling heavy-handed. Morning prayer is part of routine; students participate in Masses throughout the year, and the chapel — completed in 2011 — serves as a genuine hub for reflection rather than a peripheral space. Families uncomfortable with explicit religious practice should look elsewhere, but for Catholic families seeking a school where faith is integrated thoughtfully, this is authentic without being oppressive.
The school buildings reflect a campus redesigned for contemporary education. Classrooms are bright and spacious, fully equipped with interactive technology, and each year group has its own landscaped yard area.
A large field occupies the back of the school grounds, open to students in fine weather , and a cycle path has been opened to a nearby wagon way, providing safe active travel routes.
Under Mr J Foster (Executive Headteacher) and Miss E Patterson (Head of School), the institution has moved from good to outstanding, a trajectory visible in the calm, purposeful atmosphere. Staff know students as individuals; pastoral care is notably strong. The school's environment suggests a place where adults genuinely invest in young people's futures, not merely their exam results.
Behaviour is calm and consistent. Students describe a culture of mutual respect. Bullying is taken seriously, with clear reporting mechanisms and swift action. The school has achieved the Healthy Schools Award and, in 2007, gained Humanities College status, receiving additional funding to develop expertise in English, religious education, and the performing arts.
Results in 2024 demonstrate consistent strength across the ability range. The average Attainment 8 score of 55.9 indicates solid performance in the EBacc suite and broader curriculum. Progress 8 value-added data shows a score of +0.56, meaning pupils make above-average progress from their starting points — a key indicator that the school adds genuine educational value regardless of intake.
Around 30% of pupils achieved grades 5 and above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), a measure of breadth that reflects the school's commitment to balanced, knowledge-rich education. For context, England averages sit at 41% EBacc entry, suggesting the school has widened participation in this demanding suite.
The school ranks 7th among Newcastle secondary schools and 832nd nationally (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% of schools in England. This tier indicates a school delivering above-average academic outcomes consistently, though not at the elite level of selective grammars or top independent schools.
Sixth form cohorts are smaller and naturally more selective. At A-level, 62% of grades achieved A*-B in 2024, with 12% at A*/A. The corresponding England average sits at 47% A*-B, meaning the sixth form cohort outperforms national expectations. The school ranks 549th in England for A-level results, again placing it in the top 25% nationally and 5th among Newcastle schools.
The progression into sixth form is internal-first; students completing GCSE with grades 5+ are generally invited to continue, creating a familiar peer group for post-16 study. External students are also admitted, typically those securing strong GCSE results elsewhere.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
62.28%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
70% of leavers progress to university, a figure reflecting the school's upper-middle demographic and post-16 focus on academic pathways. Among 2024 leavers, one student secured a place at Cambridge and none at Oxford — modest Oxbridge representation (1 Cambridge acceptance from 17 applications), but not unusual for a non-selective school drawing from a broad catchment.
Beyond Oxbridge, leavers progress to a range of universities including Russell Group institutions. The sixth form careers programme emphasises student aspiration, with dedicated UCAS guidance and university visit programmes normalising higher education as an achievable goal.
Approximately 6% of leavers enter apprenticeships and 10% move directly into employment, reflecting realistic post-16 pathways that extend beyond university-only narratives.
The curriculum follows the national framework with deliberate enhancement. Sciences are taught separately from Year 9, a decision reflecting the school's commitment to depth over breadth in STEM disciplines. Languages are offered across Spanish, French, and German. At GCSE, the school enters students broadly across the EBacc suite (English, Maths, Science, Language, Humanities), a choice that distinguishes it from schools narrowing options.
A-level provision spans 27+ subjects, including traditional academic domains (Classical Civilisation, Further Maths) and creative ones (Media Studies, Drama & Theatre). This breadth means most students access their preferred subjects without having to compromise through narrow options blocks.
Teaching emphasises direct instruction and independent thinking. Lessons are structured around clear learning objectives. Homework is set regularly, with expectations that students develop self-directed study habits. The school operates a formal teaching observation system and invests in ongoing professional development, evident in the consistency of approach across departments.
The school holds Humanities College status, a designation that required demonstrated expertise in English, Religious Education, and Performing Arts. This legacy shapes curriculum design and enrichment, with performing arts receiving particular investment.
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Extracurricular life is notably developed and genuinely accessible. The school has invested significantly in clubs, ensembles, and societies that extend beyond token offerings. Rather than a culture of elite teams training intensively, the school emphasises broad participation, with competitive pathways available for those seeking them.
Music runs through school life visibly. The school maintains a chapel choir, drawing singers from across year groups. A jazz band operates regularly, as do ensembles including the school orchestra. Students describe lunchtime music sessions where informal groups rehearse, and recordings of school concerts suggest solid technical standard and genuine musicianship rather than tokenistic performance.
Individual music lessons are available, with over half the sixth form learning at least one instrument. Music practice is embedded in timetabled provision — not squeezed into lunchtime alone. The school's investment in Humanities College status included development of performing arts expertise , reflected in the quality and consistency of musical provision.
The school mounts major productions annually. A recent Shakespeare production involved over 80 students, with an orchestra drawn from the music programme. Smaller ensemble pieces and sixth-form-led drama also feature, suggesting a culture where performance is normalised across the ability range, not confined to the most confident students.
Drama lessons are practical and generative. GCSE and A-level drama students engage in live performance, devised work, and critical analysis, with access to professional venues for sixth form showcases.
The sports complex includes a four-court sports hall, activity studio, and modern fitness suite . This enables year-round activity despite Newcastle's weather. Core sports — basketball, badminton, netball, football — are taught as curriculum PE. Competitive teams exist in rugby, football, netball, and athletics, with fixtures against neighbouring schools throughout the year.
The school participates in Newcastle School Sport Association competitions and, through the school website, maintains a dedicated sports portal tracking fixtures and results. This infrastructure suggests genuine investment rather than sporadic offerings.
Dance is taught and can lead to GCSE and A-level study. The school provides access to climbing wall activities, swimming tuition (with partnership pools), and Duke of Edinburgh Award schemes at Bronze and Silver levels.
Computer Science is taught to GCSE and A-level, with practical programming forming the core. The school invested in modern IT facilities as part of the 2011 building project. Engineering is available through STEM-focused A-level options including Further Maths and Physics.
Coding clubs and robotics activities operate, though the research gathered does not detail specialist STEM societies like the school's specific STEM club names. What is evident is that STEM is treated as central to the curriculum rather than peripheral.
A strong student council operates, with elected representatives from each year group. Student leaders take meaningful responsibility for school events, charity fundraising, and student welfare. Sixth formers hold pastoral leadership roles, supporting younger students through established buddy systems.
The school has achieved recognition for student voice, with evidence of pupil feedback shaping school decisions around timetabling, uniform policies, and curriculum choices.
Beyond the named programmes above, the school maintains numerous clubs spanning academic interests (Maths challenge, Science clubs), creative pursuits (Art club, Photography), and social/recreational activities. The school website's newsletter regularly publicises club sign-ups, suggesting sustained effort to broaden engagement.
Admissions to Year 7 are coordinated through Newcastle City Council's coordinated admissions scheme. The school is heavily oversubscribed, with 995 applications for 225 places in recent cycles — a ratio of 4.4 applications per place.
Places are allocated in this order:
For Catholic families with genuine parish involvement (Mass attendance, parish membership), securing a place is realistic if living within approximately 2-3 miles of the school. For non-Catholic families, admission is possible but unlikely unless siblings already attend.
The school requires evidence of Catholic practice. Families applying under Catholic criteria should obtain a Certificate of Catholic Practice from their parish priest, obtained through regular attendance at Sunday Mass (typically 12 months prior application).
Entry to Year 12 is primarily from within the existing school community. Students require GCSE grades 5+ in subjects they wish to continue, with some subjects (Maths, Sciences) expecting grade 6+. External applicants meeting these thresholds are considered; capacity for external entry is limited but not entirely closed.
The sixth form intake is approximately 150-180 students, smaller than Year 7 cohorts due to the selective GCSE qualification barrier.
Applications
995
Total received
Places Offered
225
Subscription Rate
4.4x
Apps per place
8:40am–3:30pm (Year 7-11); extended timetable for some sixth-form blocks.
Modern main hall, library with digital resources, science laboratories, design technology workshops, art studios, chapel, four-court sports hall, fitness suite, activity studio.
Required for Years 7-11. Sixth formers follow business dress code.
The school benefits from good public transport links. Several Newcastle bus routes serve Longbenton. The school is accessible from central Newcastle by bus (approximately 30 minutes) and by car (10-15 minutes from city centre). Cycling access has been improved through wagon way connections.
Dining facilities accommodate the full cohort, with recently upgraded facilities to support increasing roll. Packed lunch or school meals available daily.
Adequate parent parking exists for drop-off and collection, though peak times can be congested. The school encourages active travel and public transport where possible.
Pastoral care is a genuine strength. Form tutors meet students daily, creating continuity of relationship. Form groups are vertical (mixed year groups) or horizontal (same year) depending on year group, with staff deliberately maintained across years to ensure consistent relationships.
The school operates a clear anti-bullying policy with multiple reporting routes — form tutors, online reporting systems, and a dedicated student voice group monitoring school climate. Any allegation is investigated promptly, and restorative approaches are used wherever appropriate.
Careers guidance begins in Year 9, becoming intensive in Year 11. Dedicated careers coordinators oversee UCAS applications, apprenticeship pathways, and post-16 choices. Sixth formers receive individual university guidance, mock interviews, and subject-specific university workshops.
Mental health support is available through trained staff. Counselling services are accessible for students struggling with anxiety, family stress, or low mood. The school works with Newcastle's CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) for students requiring specialist intervention.
Physical wellbeing is supported through the fitness suite (free access for sixth formers), structured PE, and student-led health clubs.
Faith commitment genuinely expected. This is a Catholic secondary school with daily collective worship, regular Masses, and religious education as a core subject. Families uncomfortable with explicit Catholic practice should look elsewhere. The school is not secular.
Entry difficulty for non-Catholics. With 4.4 applications per place and places allocated primarily to Catholic families with verified parish connections, non-Catholic families should treat admission as unlikely unless siblings already attend. If admission to a strong Newcastle secondary is a priority and your family is not Catholic, other oversubscribed schools may present fewer barriers.
Sixth form capacity is tight. External entry to Year 12 exists but is limited. Families planning sixth-form entry from outside the school should understand that space is scarce and previous strong GCSE performance (grades 6+ in target subjects) is essential.
Oversubscription is genuine. The school regularly receives 4+ applications per place. This means families living outside the primary catchment area should not rely on gaining admission. Check distances and access carefully before relying on entry here.
A genuinely strong secondary school that delivers above-average academic outcomes whilst maintaining a distinctive Catholic character. The school works well for Catholic families seeking an institution where faith is integral to daily life, and where academic ambition is balanced with pastoral care and personal development. Leadership is secure, facilities are modern, and teaching is consistent.
Best suited to Catholic families seeking secondary education grounded in faith values, where academic rigour is expected and wellbeing is actively supported. For non-Catholic families, the high competition for places makes admission unlikely unless siblings already attend.
The main barrier is oversubscription and faith criteria; the education offered, for those who secure a place, is excellent.
Yes. The school holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating and ranks 832nd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% of schools. A-level results are similarly strong, with 62% of grades at A*-B and a rank of 549th nationally. The sixth form is particularly successful, with consistent progression to university and regular Oxbridge acceptances. 70% of leavers progress to university, with access to a broad sixth-form curriculum spanning 27+ A-level subjects.
This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families pay for uniform, school meals, school trips, and optional music lessons. The school does not charge for the education itself, making it significantly more accessible than fee-paying alternatives while delivering outcomes comparable to many independent schools.
Entry is highly competitive. The school receives approximately 4.4 applications for every place offered. Priority is given to Catholic children with verified parish connections (through Certificate of Catholic Practice), then Catholic children without parish connection, then siblings, then by distance from the school. Non-Catholic families should not expect admission unless siblings already attend. For Catholic families living within 2-3 miles of the school and attending Mass regularly, chances are realistic.
The school's Catholic identity is genuine and pervasive. Daily collective worship, regular school Masses, and religious education as a core curriculum subject are standard. The school serves families seeking education grounded in Catholic values. Non-Catholic or secular families uncomfortable with explicit religious practice should consider alternative secondary schools.
The sixth form is highly regarded, with 62% of A-level grades at A*-B and consistent university progression. Approximately 70% of leavers progress to university, including regular acceptance at Russell Group and Oxbridge institutions. Twenty-seven plus A-level subjects are offered, spanning traditional academics, modern languages, and the arts. Entry is primarily from within the school; external applicants require strong GCSE results (grades 5-6+).
The school occupies a modern campus completed in 2011, featuring a four-court sports hall, activity studio, fitness suite, dedicated science laboratories, design technology workshops, art studios, library, and a chapel. A large field at the back of the school provides outdoor space, and a cycle path connects to the nearby wagon way. The school's main hall accommodates whole-school gatherings and dramatic productions.
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