Secondary
Gilbert Ward Academy
Princess Louise Road, Blyth, NE24 2TS
Key facts
- Phase
- Secondary
- Type
- Free schools special
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Intake
- Mixed
- Pupils
- 83 of 80 places
- Pupils per teacher
- 4.8
- Local authority
- Northumberland
- Trust
- PROSPER LEARNING TRUST
Staffing23/24
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6.0
- All staff (FTE)
- 11.7
- Pupils per adult
- 2.5
- Pupils
- 29
Staff are counted as full-time equivalents in the November school workforce census, so the pupil figure here is that census’s own and will differ a little from the roll above, which is counted in January.
Ofsted
Last inspected May 2026
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
- Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
- InclusionExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
SafeguardingMet
Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)Princess Louise Road, Blyth, NE24 2TS
Admissions
How to apply (opens in a new tab)
You apply through your council, not the school - even for academies and free schools. Applications close on 31 October, the year before starting.
Northumberland admissions (opens in a new tab)
The council publishes the oversubscription criteria and last year’s offer distances, which is the closest thing to knowing your chances.
If you are refused a place (opens in a new tab)
You can appeal, and you can join a waiting list at the same time. Accept whatever offer you get first - declining it can leave you with no place at all.
This school’s own admissions (opens in a new tab)
Schools that set their own criteria - faith schools, grammars, academies - publish them on their own site.
Contact
- Headteacher
- Barry Reed
- Address
- Princess Louise Road, Blyth, NE24 2TS
- Telephone
- 01916053899