Bede Academy, Blyth

The school's first full inspection by Ofsted was in 2012, with a judgement of Good.[8] There was a second full inspection in 2017, also with a judgement of Good.[10]

In 2019, the school's Progress 8 benchmark was below average.[11] The proportion of children entered for the English Baccalaureate was 61%, compared to 43% for the local authority overall.[11] 36% of children at the school achieved at least grade 5 in GCSE English and maths, compared to 43% for the local authority overall.[11] At A level in 2019, the average grade achieved by students at the school was C, and the average points score 29.62, compared to C+ and 32.59 for the local authority overall.[12] Of students from the school who go on to university, "Many are the first in their family to attend university".[13]

The Emmanuel Schools Foundation (ESF), established by entrepreneur Sir Peter Vardy, had previously opened three other schools: Emmanuel City Technology College in Gateshead (1990), The King's Academy in Middlesbrough (2003) and Trinity Academy in Thorne, Doncaster (2005).

In October 2010, Vardy announced his retirement as sponsor of the group and its transition to the United Learning Trust. After exploring the integration of the ESF schools into the ULT, it was later announced in February 2012 that the Department for Education had agreed in principle to the four schools returning to their own independent governance, as a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT).

Vardy had originally planned to establish seven schools, and in 2019, ESF adopted Grace College, Gateshead, and Christ's College, Sunderland, into the MAT.

The academy has a non-denominational Christian ethos.[8] Originally, it promoted the seven core values of ESF, namely: Honourable Purpose, Humility, Compassion, Integrity, Accountability, Courage and Determination. For children in the primary years, these were simplified to "Be Good", "Be Humble", "Be Kind", "Be Honest", "Be Responsible" and "Be Brave and Determined".[1]

Bede Academy gained a School of Sanctuary Award in 2022.[14]

In 2009 the primary section of the Academy was criticised for suggesting that children might be expelled if their parents repeatedly parked on parts of the school site where parking is not allowed; a local councillor said that this was not in line with the school's Christian values.[15]

During the school's initial development, Nigel McQuoid, former Principal of Emmanuel College, Gateshead and subsequently ESF's Director of Schools, was the Executive Principal of Bede Academy. McQuoid left the organisation a few months before to the completion of the building and the school's opening.

From 2009 to 2010 Liz Clubbs, formerly Headteacher at South Beach First School, was the founding Principal of the primary years with Gwyneth Evans, who was previously a Vice-Principal at Emmanuel College, Gateshead, leading the secondary years. Gwyneth Evans then became Principal with Irene Watson and subsequently Bethan Harding serving as the headteacher of the primary years site.[5] Gwyneth Evans left in 2018 and Andrew Thelwell joined as the Principal (Secondary Years) in April 2019, Bethan Harding having been made Principal (Primary Years).

In 2013, ESF reorganised its senior management structures with the result that Jonathan Winch, Principal of Emmanuel College, was appointed Executive Principal of Bede Academy. He subsequently left the organisation.

In 2017, the Office of the Schools Adjudicator found that the school's admission arrangements were unclear and unfair, and required the school to revise them.[19] The school was criticised for prioritising siblings of current pupils in its admission process.[20]

• Bede Academy website
• DCSF EduBase details for Bede Academy

55.11695°N 1.52058°W / 55.11695; -1.52058