The short version
Average GCSE results. Nearly full.
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 41.0 vs national 43.8)
- This school does not have a sixth form
- The school is nearly full at 92% capacity
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
41.0
2.8 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
29%
13.2pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
7%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
88%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
79%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
7%
Employment
Directly into work
3%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
9%
Based on 156 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 18 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
24% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
4% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 14 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 9 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 89 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 812
- Capacity
- 92%
- FSM
- 48.5%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- North Tyneside
- Trust
- PELE TRUST
- Head
- Jonathan Heath (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksAcademy conversion letter
1 official report linked on this page.
Location
Preston Road, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 9PU
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmSouthlands School
Special school · 302m away
Monkhouse Primary School
Primary · 666m away
King Edward Primary School
Primary · 788m away
Marden High School
Secondary · 843m away
Preston Grange Primary School
Primary · 856m away
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Cullercoats
Primary · 1.0km away
Whitehouse Primary School
Primary · 1.1km away
Christ Church CofE Primary School
Primary · 1.2km away
Questions parents ask
Is John Spence Community High School a selective school?
No. John Spence Community High School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
How many pupils attend John Spence Community High School?
John Spence Community High School currently has 812 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does John Spence Community High School take?
John Spence Community High School caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is John Spence Community High School?
John Spence Community High School is in North Shields, NE29 9PU, in the North Tyneside local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does John Spence Community High School have a sixth form?
No, John Spence Community High School does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
Premium school profiles
Researching a selective school?
We hold deep admissions intelligence on the UK's top selective schools — exam breakdowns, interview formats, and parent strategy briefs.