Best Schools in Cramlington

Choosing a school is one of the biggest decisions for a family moving to or living in Cramlington. This guide lists the state schools in the town, what ages they take, and what Ofsted found at its most recent inspection. We do not rank schools: the right choice depends on your child, where you live and what matters to you, so visit, read the full reports and talk to the schools.

Every school below was checked against the government's schools register (Get Information About Schools) and its latest Ofsted report in November 2026. For early years, see our guide to nurseries and childcare in Cramlington, and for more on education locally, visit the schools hub.

How schools work in Cramlington

Cramlington uses the two-tier system. Children attend a primary school from Reception to Year 6, then move to secondary school at 11. This differs from parts of Northumberland, such as Morpeth, which use first, middle and high schools.

Admissions for most schools are coordinated by Northumberland County Council, including for academies and church schools, so you apply through the council rather than to each school.

How Ofsted inspections work now

Since September 2024, Ofsted no longer gives schools a single overall grade such as Good or Outstanding. From November 2025 it began publishing report cards, which grade a school in each of several areas on a five-point scale: Exceptional, Strong, Expected standard, Needs attention and Urgent improvement. Safeguarding is judged as met or not met.

Schools last inspected under the older system still show those earlier judgements until they are next inspected. That means the results below are not directly comparable. A school inspected in 2022 and one inspected in 2026 were judged under different frameworks.

Primary schools

Ages include the school's nursery where it has one. More detail on each school follows.

Schools with report cards

• Beaconhill Community Primary School (June 2026): Expected standard for attendance and behaviour, early years, inclusion, and personal development and wellbeing. Needs attention for achievement, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance. Safeguarding met.
• Cragside CofE Primary School (June 2026): Expected standard in every area. Safeguarding met.
• Cramlington Village Primary School (September 2026): Expected standard in every area, including early years. Safeguarding met. The school has a nursery and The Nest, a room for two-year-olds.

Schools with earlier inspections

• Burnside Primary School: an ungraded inspection in February 2023 found that it continues to be a good school.
• Cramlington Northburn Primary School: an ungraded inspection in October 2022 found that it continues to be a good school.
• Cramlington Shanklea Primary School: an ungraded inspection in April and May 2024 left its Good grade unchanged, but Ofsted said the evidence suggested the grade might not be as high at a full inspection, and that its next inspection would be graded.
• Eastlea Primary School: an inspection in January 2025 found it had maintained the standards of its previous Good judgement. It has a 39-place nursery.
• Hareside Primary School: an ungraded inspection in March 2023 found that it continues to be a good school.
• Ss Peter and Paul's Catholic Primary Academy: a graded inspection in October 2023 rated it Good overall, with personal development rated Outstanding. It is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust and publishes its own admissions policy. The school says it feeds into St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy in Bedlington and also has links with Cramlington Learning Village.

Best for: Read the full report, not just the headline: each one explains what the school does well and what it needs to improve.

Secondary school: Cramlington Learning Village

Cramlington Learning Village on Highburn (NE23 6BN) is the town's secondary school, an academy for students aged 11 to 18 with a sixth form. The government's schools register lists nearly 2,000 students on roll. It was selected for the government's School Rebuilding Programme, and work on new buildings began in September 2025.

Its Ofsted report card from May 2026 rated it Strong for attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. It was rated Expected standard for achievement and for post-16 provision, and safeguarding standards were met.

Special school: Cramlington Hillcrest School

Cramlington Hillcrest School on East View Avenue (NE23 1DY) is a community special school for students aged 11 to 18. The government's schools register lists provision for needs including moderate and severe learning difficulties, autism, speech, language and communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health needs. An ungraded inspection in late 2022 found that it continues to be a good school.

Places at special schools are normally arranged through a child's education, health and care plan (EHCP), so talk to Northumberland County Council's SEND team rather than applying in the usual admissions round.

How to apply

Applications go through Northumberland County Council's school admissions service. For children starting school in September 2027:

If you missed the Year 7 deadline, see the council's secondary transfer page for how late applications are handled.

Each school has a catchment area, and living in it usually gives priority but is not a guarantee of a place. You can check catchments on the council's catchment and transport page, or email schooladmissions@northumberland.gov.uk.

Best for: List more than one preference on your application. Naming only one school does not improve your chances of getting it.

Near the boundary

Cramlington sits on the boundary with North Tyneside. Annitsford and Dudley fall within North Tyneside, so if you live there, check which council area your address is in: North Tyneside Council runs admissions for its own area.

Tips for choosing a school

• Visit: ask each school about open events or a tour before the closing date.
• Read the full report: the Ofsted website has every report, searchable by school name or reference number.
• Check the extras: breakfast clubs, after-school care and nursery provision vary from school to school.
• Think about the journey: our guide to getting around Cramlington without a car covers the footpath network that links the estates.

For term and holiday dates, including where Cramlington Learning Village differs from the county calendar, see school holidays in Cramlington. For extra help outside school, from maths to music lessons, see finding a tutor in Cramlington.

If you are new to the area, our moving to Cramlington guide covers the bigger picture, and the baby and toddler groups guide is a good place to meet other local families.

Spotted a change? Get in touch and we'll update the guide.