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The Duchess's Community High School
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–18 · Academy
Taylor Drive, Alnwick NE66 2DH · dchs-alnwick.org · 01665 602166
On the mapSearch near NE66 2DH
Overview
- Ofsted
- Requires improvement
- 2019 framework · inspected Oct 2021
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 43.2
- average Attainment 8 score. Northumberland 44, England 46
- Demand for places
- 1.0
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 1,276
- 77% of 1,651 places
- Local authority
- Northumberland
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 18.4%
- First language not English
- 2.3%
- School census 2025/26
- Trust
- Pele Trust
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, 189 families put the school first and 188 places were offered; 99% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 188 | 189 | 1▲ | 99% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 167 | 170 | 1▲ | 98% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 218 | 209 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 214 | 215 | 1▲ | 100% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 237 | 237 | 1 | 100% |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 43.2, and 37.5% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Northumberland it was 44, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade C+ (31.8 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼43.2 | 46.0 | ||
| ▼37.5% | 45.4% | ||
| ▼62.5% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼15.0% | 40.5% | ||
| ▼3.62 | 4.09 |
Some years are for the predecessor school (URN 122362)
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 53.7 | −0.3 |
| Further education | 27.4 | +0.6 |
| Other education | 0.4 | — |
| Apprenticeship | 3.9 | −2.2 |
| Employment | 6.6 | +1.6 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 5 | −0.4 |
| Activity not captured | 3.1 | +0.4 |
Published for the predecessor school (URN 122362)
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84 students | C+ (31.8) | Below average -0.20 | |
| 84 students | C+ (32) | Below average -0.19 | |
| 16 students | Merit+ (26.8) | Average -0.12 | |
| 14 students | Dist+ (38.2) | Well above average +1.27 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 123 | C+ (33.3) | +0.15 |
| 2022/23 | 93 | C+ (31.8) | — |
| 2021/22 | 114 | C+ (34.6) | — |
| 2018/19 | 136 | C (31.2) | -0.33 |
| 2017/18 | 126 | C+ (32.1) | +0.16 |
| 2016/17 | 142 | C (30.2) | -0.07 |
| 2015/16 | 160 | C (30.8) | +0.16 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 46 | −2.9 |
| Further and other education | 5.3 | +3.8 |
| Further education | 4 | — |
| Other education | 1.3 | — |
| Apprenticeship | 6.7 | +0.1 |
| Employment | 30.7 | −2.1 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 7.3 | +1.5 |
| Activity not captured | 4 | −0.4 |
Ofsted
The Duchess's Community High School was judged Requires improvement at its last graded inspection, on 19 October 2021, under Ofsted’s 2019 framework.
- Overall
- Requires improvement
- Inspected
- 19 Oct 2021
- Graded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Inspection of the predecessor school (URN 122362)
Graded areas
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
|---|---|
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form | Requires improvement |
Previously: Good, graded inspection, Sept 2012
Other inspections
Including inspections of the predecessor school (URN 122362), which Ofsted links to this one.
September 2019 to November 2025
- Jul 2022Monitoring visitEffective action
Before September 2019
Sept 2012Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good Inspection of the predecessor school (URN 122362)
Oct 2007Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good 16 to 19 study programmes Good Inspection of the predecessor school (URN 122362)