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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Requires improvementURN 150196

The Duchess's Community High School

Academy converter · Alnwick · NE66 2DH

Ages 11–18 · 1,276 pupils · Northumberland

School website

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Overall absence

9.2%

Admissions demand

0.96 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Requires improvement

Inspection date

2021-10-19

Overall effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of education
Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal development
Requires improvement
Leadership and management
Requires improvement
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)27.8%
Unauthorised2.2%
Authorised absence
7.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.2%
Enrolments in measure
1,189

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.96 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

209

Places offered

218

1st-preference offers

209

Total preferences (any rank)
218
Preferred offers (top 3)
218
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill77%

1,276 pupils · 1,651 places

Pupils on roll
1,276
Boys / girls
635 / 641
School capacity
1,651
Capacity fill
1,276 / 1,651 (77%)
Free school meals
18.4%
FSM pupils
186
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: PELE TRUST
Academy trust
PELE TRUST
Headteacher
Mr James Wilson

Location

Address
Taylor Drive
Postcode
NE66 2DH
Town
Alnwick
County
Northumberland
Local authority
Northumberland
District
Northumberland
Constituency
North Northumberland
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Further from a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Alnwick, Northumberland, 1,276 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 18.4%.

Open schools in Alnwick
11
Secondary schools in Alnwick
1
Academies among open schools in Alnwick
73% (8)
Open schools in NE66
11
Secondary in NE66
1
Open schools in Northumberland LA
178
Secondary in Northumberland LA
15

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in AlnwickNear NE66

  • Barndale School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community special school

    Alnwick · NE66 1DQ · Northumberland

    Ages 4–19

    • KS20%
    • Absence8.3%
    • FSM51.0%

    1.3 miles away

  • Shilbottle Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Alnwick · NE66 2XQ · Northumberland

    Ages 4–11

    • FSM15.5%

    2.1 miles away

  • Hipsburn Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Alnwick · NE66 3PX · Northumberland

    Ages 3–11

    • KS255%
    • Absence3.9%
    • FSM3.9%
    • Demand1.00

    2.8 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr James Wilson
Telephone
01665602166
Website
http://www.dchs-alnwick.org/

Official links