We are one of Newcastle Local Authority’s eleven secondary schools and have 1700 students with almost 600 at Post 16. From being Tyne and Wear's first specialist Language College in 1996 we have now been awarded Training School status. In 2008 Ofsted rated us as ‘Outstanding’ saying ‘This is a school in which nothing is merely ordinary and much is exemplary’.

Our main areas of excellence are languages, post 16 education, the gifted and talented curriculum, social inclusion, and the development of teaching and learning. 

Students transfer from our Junior High and two middle schools at the end of year 8. We work very closely with these schools to ensure a coherent KS3 and smooth transition for students. The three-tier arrangement is very popular with parents and the Local Authority has no plans to rationalise schooling arrangements in the city.