NCEA Duke's Secondary School
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 28 April 2026
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 32.0 | 44.0 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 21% | 42% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 42% | 63% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 36% | 58% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 11% | 32% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 2.5 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Based on 188 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 980
- Capacity
- 1,150
- Girls / boys
- 52% / 48%
- Free school meals
- 50%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 67.8
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 20.7
- Leadership (FTE)
- 10.4
- Part-time teachers
- 24%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
55%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
44 responses up to 1 September 2025 · 4% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
57% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
61% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
57% agreeMy child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.
41% agreeThe school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.
52% agree
Questions about NCEA Duke's Secondary School
What is NCEA Duke's Secondary School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted inspected NCEA Duke's Secondary School on 28 April 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Expected standard for inclusion, for leadership and governance, for personal development and wellbeing and for post-16 provision; Needs attention for achievement, for curriculum and teaching and for attendance and behaviour.
How do I apply for a place at NCEA Duke's Secondary School?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if NCEA Duke's Secondary School is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day. As a Church of England school it may also ask for a supplementary form, and its admissions policy says whether it does.
Does living near NCEA Duke's Secondary School guarantee a place?
No. Distance only counts when NCEA Duke's Secondary School has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. As a Church of England school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at NCEA Duke's Secondary School?
NCEA Duke's Secondary School had 980 pupils aged 11 to 19 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,150. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.
