Secondary and sixth form Durham/Gateshead

[TealBear]

Hi all my husband is exploring new job options in Gateshead and I am just researching education for 3 of my 4 children, I have one who will be heading to sixth form sept 2025, one in year 9 September 2025 and one in year 1 September 2025.
My oldest loves school and is currently on track for A’s and A* for her GCSE so looking for somewhere that she will be challenged and thrive.
Middle enjoys school and is great at maths but struggles with English (spelling mainly) if I could get the older 2 at the same school that would be a bonus but they are currently at different schools so not an issue.
My youngest is currently awaiting ASD assessment and has a part time 1-1 teacher in a mainstream school so looking for a school where has great SEN.

We will look for housing based on schools id rather get the right school for the kids first.

many thanks :)

I'm south of Durham so don't know about Gateshead but you need to be aware that the region ranked at bottom of national league table is for GCSE results for yet another year for state schools.
You don't mention whether state or independent schools?
For state schools in Durham the best secondary school is Durham Johnson but catchment is small and it is over subscribed. They have a good 6th form. Avoid New College Durham.
I hope someone closer to the areas you mention comes on to give you more comprehensive info.

Yes sorry, I should have added state school, we are currently in Northern Ireland (but from England) so the school system is a bit different my eldest is currently at a state grammar school. We are also not catholic which I have seen there is a few catholic schools in the areas.

Yes the other good state secondary school in Durham is Catholic although due to RAAC they are being taught in tents

There are no grammar schools in the NE (the ones called Grammars are private) so your choices are state comprehensive or private.

Sounds like they would thrive here:

www.emmanuelcollege.org.uk/

Very high achieving, super strict, Christian ethos if that's an issue. High percentage of Oxbridge acceptances.

Yes my eldest wouldn’t have gone to grammar school if we had stayed in England but here in Northern Ireland there is alot of them, so fine with state schools :)
Also just wanted to add we wouldn’t be moving until the end of this academic year.

For new admissions outside of Yr 7 though you won't be able to choose, you will be allocated to any school with a place available.

Thank you that does look like a possibility, currently she has Cambridge ambitions (not sure where she gets it from 😂) but would like to give her the best chance possible.

Wtf is wrong with New College?

Emmanuel in Gateshead is the best school in the area. Agree that Durham Johnson is one of the best in Durham as is St Leonards. All will be fully subscribed with waiting lists. Sixth form will obviously take applications.

Not the academic level OP is looking for. A predicted A/A* pupil at GCSE whose parents are looking for academic challenge could find New College limiting.

Thank you for your help, I’ve started doing a bit more research from your advice, Emmanuel College says they take 20 children into sixth form that don’t already attend the school so will see how we get on, they have a waiting list for all other years so the older two will have to go to different places which is fine. Just need to research more on areas now as if we go for EC will have to stick more to Gateshead/Newcastle direction, and also make some back up plans. 😊