The Telegraph’s league table sees secondary schools ranked according to 10 separate criteria, which add up to a maximum score of 40. The newspaper says these are “designed to highlight a range of key data points, measuring key academic, behavioural and organisational performance”.
Using the latest data for the 2024/5 academic year, the points are awarded as follows:
- English Baccalaureate scores (5 points)
- Attainment 8 scores (5 points)
- Progress 8 score (5 points)
- Disadvantaged pupils score (4 points)
- Comparison with local authority (4 points)
- Pupil destinations (5 points)
- Entries options (3 points)
- Oversubscribed schools (3 points)
- Class size (3 points)
- Truancy (3 points)
Almost 3,500 state sector secondary schools in England feature in the league table, with just five schools across the country receiving the full 40 points.
We have examined the league table to find the top 14 secondary schools in Newcastle that received the highest scores - classed as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.
Take a look at the gallery below and see how your child’s school performed.

1. St Mary's Catholic School
St Mary's Catholic School in Benton has been awarded a score of 36/40 on The Telegraph's GCSE league table. | Google

2. Sacred Heart Catholic High School
Sacred Heart has been awarded a score of 34/40 on The Telegraph's GCSE league table. | Google

3. Jesmond Park Academy
Jesmond Park has been awarded a score of 31/40 on The Telegraph's GCSE league table. | Google

4. Walbottle Academy
Walbottle has been awarded a score of 24/40 on The Telegraph's GCSE league table. | Google

