Is The Duchess's Community High School a good school?

Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement at its last graded inspection on 19 October 2021. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded D, 26th of 27 secondary schools in Northumberland. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are The Duchess's Community High School's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at The Duchess's Community High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 41.3 (England: 46.2). 34.9% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at The Duchess's Community High School?

Applications for Year 7 places at The Duchess's Community High School starting in September 2027 close on 31 October 2026. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027 (or the next working day).

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The Duchess's Community High School

Taylor Drive, Alnwick, NE66 2DH

Local ranking26th of 27 secondary schools in Northumberland

Ofsted: Requires improvementUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1651

Capacity

11-18

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 19 October 2021. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Continues from The Duchess's Community High School (URN 122362) since 1 November 2023. Results, demographics and trends from before then are that school's, shown here so the record is unbroken.

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 41.3 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 34.9% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 54.7% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 192

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 90.0%
Continued in education: 79.0%
Apprenticeships: 6.0%
Employment: 6.0%
Not sustained: 7.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 80.0%
Higher education: 41.0%
Apprenticeships: 4.0%
Employment: 33.0%
Not sustained: 17.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

C+

Avg A-Level Grade

31.8

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

33.3

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.8

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 14.3% nat17.5%
Applied General Avg Points: 26.8
16-18 Cohort: 241

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 1341
Boys: 635 (50%)
Girls: 641 (50%)
Capacity: 1651 (77% full)
SEND: 17.4%
FSM Eligible: 18.4%
EAL: 2.2%
SEN with EHC Plan: 3.9%
SEN Support: 13.6%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 14.6:1
Teachers (FTE): 91.7
Budget per Pupil: £8,338/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 9.9% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 29.3% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
Religious Character: Does not apply
Nursery: No Nursery Classes
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 95.3%
White Other: 2.8%
Mixed White & Asian: 0.6%
Mixed Other: 0.5%
Mixed White & Black Caribbean: 0.3%
Other: 0.2%
Asian Other: 0.1%
Mixed White & Black African: 0.1%

95.3%

White British

2.8%

White Other

0.6%

Mixed White & Asian

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01665602166

admin@dchs-alnwick.org

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Taylor Drive

Alnwick, North East

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Administrative

URN: 150196
UKPRN: 10093472
Establishment No.: 4438
Trust: PELE TRUST

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