WHITLEY BAY HIGH SCHOOL in Tyne and Wear, Whitley Bay

Education Centre Information: Whitley Bay High School:

Establishment Type:Foundation School
Phase of Education: Secondary
Status: Open
Local Authority: North Tyneside
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: Has Special Classes
Religious Character: None
Nursery Provider: No Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 1636
Number of boys: 814
Number of girls: 822
Admissions: Comprehensive
Age Range: 13-18
Gender: Mixed
View inspection reports

Special Educational Needs:

SEN Priority 1:MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty

Background:

The school opened in 1973 in buildings dating from 1962 and previously occupied by Whitley Bay Grammar School. It is surrounded by 'substantial' playing fields and shares the use of 'excellent' council leisure facilities nearby. Situated about a quarter of a mile from the sea, there are 'impressive views' from the top-floor classrooms. A new sports hall opened in 1996, followed by a new library in October 1997, and there has been 'extensive' recent development of the sixth-form information technology facilities. The school is 'heavily' over-subscribed and 70% of pupils stay on into the sixth-form. It has a 'strong' musical and drama tradition and recent productions have included Return to the Forbidden Planet, Dancing at Lughnasa, Cabaret, and The Plough and the Stars. A 'wide range' of sport is played at all levels and the school enjoys 'regular national success' in basketball and athletics, with sports clubs starting at 7.30am. Foreign exchanges are arranged to destinations such as Pau and Munchengladbach. The school describes itself as a 'neighbourhood comprehensive, widely-respected in the area' with a 'strong academic tradition that has been retained while curriculum provision has been broadened and taken more account of vocational issues'.