Ages 
A school that is moving ‘onwards and upwards’. Never content to rest on its laurels for its pupils, deserving of its award of outstanding in the last four Ofsted inspections. Continuity provided by pastoral system is outstanding. Inspired and inspiring teaching observed, stimulating lessons whilst harnessing the latest technology. What really sets the school apart is its development of teaching, and teachers who go that extra mile to set girls on course to make the right choices after Sacred Heart. Every child really does matter here...
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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,391 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 266 ·
- Religion
- RC
- Local authority
- Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council
Headteacher
Headteacher
Mrs Suzanne Howell
Since 2020, Suzanne Howell. Studied English and music at Lancaster. Was director of teaching and learning and assistant head at Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead and at St Wilfrid’s Catholic College, South Shields, before becoming deputy head
Entrance
Oversubscribed, almost three applications for each place. Catholic applicants have priority. Seventy per cent are baptised Catholics, 17 per cent of Muslim background. No academic selection though 10 per cent of places awarded on aptitude and ability
- Open days
- July
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Around a third leave after GCSEs. After sixth form, three-quarters to university, rest to apprenticeships, foundation courses, employment or gap year. Girls secure places at Oxford and Cambridge every year (one to Oxbridge in 2024) and around 40
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2024, 34 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 80 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English; 31 per cent A*/A at A level (55 per cent A*-B).
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
For results at GCSE and value added, this is the best state school in Newcastle and one of the best at A level. All from non-selective intake. Science strong at KS3, GCSE and A level. Single sex avoids stereotypes coming to the fore, believes school,
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
Some 20 per cent of pupils with EAL. Twelve per cent receive learning support and there are some pupils with EHCPs.
Arts & extracurricular
The school has a specialism in performing arts and they offer great opportunities for the musically interested and gifted, from rock to string bands and more. Newcastle's centre of excellence for music and the city's 'music hub'. Music fund purchases
Sport
Full range of sports available from the usual – football, hockey, netball, badminton, basketball, trampolining etc - to the unusual – tag rugby and rowing. Something for everyone and willing to add to the list if sufficient support and interest.
Ethos & heritage
Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart founded a small, private secondary school in Fenham Hall for girls in 1905. From 1920 scholarships were provided, and by 1945 virtually all girls were scholarship students educated at either the grammar or
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Pastoral care is spearheaded by a deputy headteacher, heads of year, deputy heads of year and personal tutors. Each girl will have the same year head and personal tutor from year 7 to year 11 to provide continuity – a real strength. A buddying system
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review A student’s phone must be switched off and kept in their inside pocket zipped up at all times (not front pocket), unless a member of staff has given an instruction to do otherwise.
Breaches of this rules will lead to confiscation of the phone. The confiscated phone will be returned to the student in reception at 3.25pm at the end School day on the Friday of that week (if confiscated on a Thursday or Friday, it will be returned to the student at 3.25pm in reception on the following Monday). It will be logged and kept in a safe until this time.
Pupils & parents
A total of 50 different feeder schools. The majority of girls come from their designated 13 Catholic feeder schools in north and west of Newcastle. A third come from further afield - North Tyneside, Northumberland and Durham.
The last word
A school that is moving ‘onwards and upwards’. Never content to rest on its laurels for its pupils, deserving of its award of outstanding in the last four Ofsted inspections. Continuity provided by pastoral system is outstanding. Inspired and
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection:
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
Full inspection: Outstanding
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|
