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    • Inspiring Achievements of Leo Turnbull

      Published 06/03/25

      Gosforth Academy is proud to spotlight Leo Turnbull, a remarkable Year 13 student whose journey in computer science has been nothing short of extraordinary. Rising to prominence during the lockdown of 2020/21, Leo’s innovative spirit led him to create a digital advent calendar app that not only garnered over a thousand downloads but also made a significant impact by reducing plastic waste and supporting the charity Mind. As he prepares for his A Level exams, Leo shares insights into his creative projects, commitment to community service, and aspirations of becoming a software engineer dedicated to solving everyday problems. His story is an inspiring testament to the power of passion, creativity, and a desire to make a difference.

      Leo is an incredibly talented computer science student who first came to prominence in 2020/21 when in year 9.  

      During the lockdown, Leo developed a digital advent calendar app as an alternative to buying a physical one. The app, which was downloaded over a thousand times, helped to reduce plastic waste and raised money for the charity Mind. The student received recognition from the then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, commending his work in helping others in the community. 

      Leo is in Year 13 and preparing for his forthcoming A Level exams five years later. The student took some time out from his studies to give an insight into his progress at Gosforth Academy...

      How has your educational journey progressed since you first showed your creative passion in main school? 

      In the last few years, my education has developed my creativity in a practical way. I really enjoy subjects that let me build and create, whether that is designing solutions through programming or learning to link sources in 3D design. 

      A Levels have pushed me to think in a more fluid way, allowing me to experiment and find new approaches. Every challenge in 3D design or computer science has been a way to turn ideas into something that actually works. 

      What initiatives have you undertaken outside of school that showcase your knowledge, skills, and passion? 

      Since designing my advent calendar during Covid, I’ve continued to learn by working on websites for local high-street businesses like Corsaro and Yumlush to build their online presence. Each project has helped me to improve my skills while also contributing to the community. 

      I also run a coding club at a local primary school each year, teaching children the basics of programming. It has been great for my own understanding, while also learning how to break down complex ideas for others. 

      How do you see your career progressing following A Levels? 

      I plan to do a software engineering degree apprenticeship, where I can get working experience while learning. This path makes the most sense for me, as I have always enjoyed practical tasks. Hopefully, this will set me up to work on software that helps people and has real impact. 

      What do you see Leo Turnbull working as in 10 years' time? 

      In 10 years, I see myself as a software engineer whose work addresses ordinary problems. This would allow me to apply my skills and genuinely improve people’s lives. I see every project as a chance to learn and make a positive impact - that's why I am drawn to this career! 

      Leo revealed his latest project design for Yumlush, stating he was excited to see people's responses in the coming months! 

      Deputy Principal for Curriculum, Mr Peter Snowdon, said: 
      "I am delighted to acknowledge Leo for his exceptional hard work and determination in pursuing his passion for computer design. His dedication to his work is truly inspiring, and his innovative projects have consistently demonstrated his remarkable talent. Moreover, Leo's caring nature shines through in his efforts to improve the Gosforth community and support local businesses. His commitment to making a positive impact is a testament to his character. I have no doubt that he has a bright and successful future ahead of him." 

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    • Year 9 Public Speaking Competition

      Published 05/03/25

      On Saturday, 1st March, five Year 9 students took part in a public speaking competition in the prestigious Ryton Festival (a speech and drama festival which has been running for 80 years). Students worked exceptionally hard, over a period of months, researching, writing and honing a speech about a topic of their choice, covering subjects as diverse as mental health in young men, the inequality between men and women in sports, the dangers of alcohol, foibles in the English language, and misunderstandings about autism. Their speeches were, without exception, well-researched, cleverly structured, and eloquently written - demonstrating true passion and belief in the importance of their topics. 

      Students took to the stage in a busy town hall, performing to an audience of strangers and judges - and excelled. Indeed, the lead judge commented on what a privilege it had been to hear their thoughts and opinions presented so well. All students were very highly commended and represented Gosforth Academy very well indeed - but particular congratulations are due to Emma Hughes, who won first place with her speech about the pressure of unrealistic beauty standards, and Matilda Kinnaird, who won second place with her speech about the perils of alcohol. 

      The full list of students who took part, and their speech topics, are below:

      • Emma Hughes (first prize): Teenage Beauty Standards

      • Matilda Kinnaird (second prize): The Dangers of Alcohol

      • Ava Cooksey: Autism

      • Megan Carthy: Women in Sport

      • Wills Vernon - Homophones, Heteronyms and Silent Letters

      • Fedhl Ibraheem: Depression and Mental Health in Young Men

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    • Spanish Exchange Programme

      Published 04/03/25

      A few weeks ago, 20 Gosforth Academy students participated in a Spanish exchange programme with Colegio Romareda, our partner school in Zaragoza, Aragón. During the week-long stay, the Gosforth Academy students were hosted by the families of their Spanish counterparts, attended various school lessons, and engaged in several cultural activities. One highlight of the trip was a full-day excursion to Jaca in the Spanish Pyrenees, where students had the chance to go ice skating.

      Our exchange programme offers an incredible opportunity for students to immerse themselves in Spanish culture and enhance their language skills rapidly.

      We look forward to welcoming Colegio Romareda students to Gosforth at the end of March.

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    • Free tickets to a performance of SPARK

      Published 06/02/25

      On Monday 17th February, Gosforth Academy Music Department will be hosting a very special performance by a group called Hold the Drama. 

      Hold the Drama are a collective of 6 classically trained musicians who have worked together to create an inclusive performances that help the audience make sense of thoughts and feelings that might not always be easy to put into words.

      The group are offering FREE TICKETS to ‘Spark’  – a show performed by 6 world class actor-musicians featuring physical theatre and live music! The performance has no words – the story is told via the music and what you see on stage.

      They are currently touring schools in Newcastle with their other show ‘Stripes’.

      These FREE TICKETS are for people of all ages to enjoy!

      The FREE public performance is:
      4:30pm (doors open at 4:15)
      Gosforth Academy, Great North Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2JH.

      CLICK HERE to reserve your free tickets

      Or visit their website

      https://holdthedrama.co.uk/

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    • Sixth Form English Language Resit Results

      Published 04/02/25

      Congratulations to our Post 16 students who managed to attain that all important grade 4 or above in English, after their re-sit examination in November.

      Almost 60% of our resit cohort, which included students who joined us from other schools for Sixth Form, as well as our own former Year 11 students, managed to secure a standard pass grade. Five students were even awarded a grade 5 or strong pass, which meant they had improved by two grades on their summer result.

      We were delighted that, on average, our re-sit English Language students increased their original grade by almost a grade on average – no mean feat while studying for this alongside Level 3 courses!

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    • Year 13 Parent Survey Results

      Published 03/02/25

      Many thanks to all the Year 13 parents who completed our survey after their review appointments with Post 16 personal tutors. The results of this survey were overwhelmingly positive, with 98% of parents saying their child is happy and feels safe in the Sixth Form.

      Almost all parents (94%) agreed that the school has high expectations for their child, with 96% agreeing that their child does well at the school and 94% agreeing that they are kept up to date with their child’s progress, with 95% saying they are kept up to date with what their child is studying. This last figure is remarkably high, compared to Year 12 parents, which may reflect that fact that Year 13 have already had their parents’ evening this school year, while the Year 12 one is not until next month.

      98% agreed that there is a good range of post 16 subjects and extra-curricular activities for students. Surprisingly, only 86% agreed that the school supports students’ wider development beyond taught qualifications, through things like progression activities, tutorials, assemblies, citizenship and the registration programme. This is a lower percentage than in the Year 12 survey, perhaps a reflection of the fact that Year 13 students don’t have a weekly timetabled citizenship session and more tutorials are devoted to UCAS completion in the autumn term. This is something we can look at for next year, although students do report that they appreciate the tutorial time that is devoted to supporting them with their university applications. As an aside, we have sent off 306 UCAS applications by the deadline this year, showing that university progression still significantly dominates our students’ progression plans. Parents are reminded that students receive fortnightly progression notices, advertising a wide range of progression opportunities, including apprenticeship provider and workplace activities, and parents are copied into these updates too via School Comms.

      Only a tiny number of parents felt the questions regarding the effectiveness with which the school deals with bullying and supports students with SEND needs were relevant to their own children, but of those that did respond, most were happy with the support. Finally, only 8 parents out of a year group of well over 300 said they wouldn’t recommend the school to others.

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    • Year 9 Options Evening Information for Students and Parents/Carers

      Published 30/01/25

      Our Year 9 Options Evening, held on 21st January, aimed to introduce students to various career paths and guide them in making informed decisions about their future after school. This was a well attended and successful evening.

      Below, we have pulled together the key guidance information and links to subject areas and potential career options which you and your child may find useful. 

      For more information, please visit the Gosforth Academy Careers page on our website or search for the Careers page on Frog.

      For students who are still feeling uncertain, support is available in The Progression Hub (Room 156) from Mrs. Carter and Mr. Limbrick, our Careers Leaders. Additionally, assistance is provided by the Careers & Guidance Team at Newcastle City Council.

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    • Year 12 Parent Survey Results

      Published 27/01/25

      Many thanks to all the Year 12 parents who completed our survey after their review appointments with Post 16 personal tutors. The results of this survey were overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of parents saying their child is happy and feels safe in the Sixth Form.

      Almost all parents (98%) agreed that the school has high expectations for their child and 97% agreed that they are kept up to date with their child’s progress. A similarly high percentage agreed that there is a good range of post 16 subjects and extra-curricular activities for students and that the school supports students’ wider development beyond taught qualifications, through things like progression activities, tutorials, assemblies, citizenship and the registration programme.

      Most parents felt the questions regarding the effectiveness with which the school deals with bullying and supports students with SEND needs weren’t relevant to their own children, but of those that did, almost all were happy with the support.

      The only response that stood out as a bit less positive was the question about how well the school keeps parents informed about what their children are studying. Parents are reminded that the details of each course can be found in our curriculum outlines and prospectus, both of which can be found on our website or click the links below.

      Our Curriculum

      Sixth Form Prospectus 

      Finally, 95% of parents said they would recommend the school to other parents.

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    • Gosforth Academy listed in Top 200 Sports Schools of 2024

      Published 22/01/25

      Gosforth Academy has been named one of the Top 200 Sports Schools nationally based on its performance in several sporting competitions. The top 200 chart celebrates the best of the best, with state schools battling it out with their independent rivals on the same list. And the list rates performance above everything else, with results compiled from more than 20 sports and more than 120 events. Schools usually have to reach the later stages of at least two, three or four national competitions to make the list.

      This year, Gosforth Academy was ranked 80th in the country for sports performance, which is down to students excelling across a range of sports, including netball, football, basketball, athletics, badminton, squash and Rugby Sevens. This position puts us in the top 2% of schools nationally!

      Congratulations must go to all the students who have represented teams over the years, and, of course, a huge thanks to all colleagues who run teams and give up their time so generously. We look forward to another successful year of sport culminating in our end of year Sports Awards Evening on Wednesday 2nd July 2025.

      More information on the awards and the list can be found below:

      Top 200 sports schools of 2023 - School Sport Magazine

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    • We are awarded for being a carer friendly school

      Published 16/01/25

      We are thrilled to announce that Newcastle Carers has accredited Gosforth Academy as a carer friendly school. This award recognises and celebrates our commitment to supporting young people with caring responsibilities. As part of the award criteria, we have made three pledges to help identify and support young carers in our school:

      1. We will share information about young carers on FROG, our learning platform.

      2. We will offer every carer a key contact in school to seek support and signposting from.

      3. We will share information about young carers on our website, including a link to the Newcastle Carers website.

      We are proud to be a carer friendly school dedicated to identifying and supporting young people with caring responsibilities. If you would like to find out more about the Carer Friendly School accreditation, visit Newcastle Carers website at www.newcastlecarers.org.uk/carer-friendly-schools/

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    • Senior Citizens Celebrate Christmas 6th December 2024

      Published 19/12/24

      Gosforth Academy was delighted to host our annual Senior Citizens Christmas Party, spreading festive cheer to the local community in what has become a much-loved tradition. 

      The event began with a warm welcome in the reception area, where guests enjoyed delightful in school-made non-alcoholic punch and mince pies while our talented brass band played classic Christmas tunes, setting the perfect seasonal atmosphere. 

      Guests were then invited into the main hall to experience a stunning showcase of talent from our student singers and musicians. The performances truly highlighted the exceptional creativity and dedication of our students, leaving everyone in awe. 

      The festive fun continued in the dinner hall, where a sumptuous full Christmas dinner was served. Our catering team outdid themselves, ensuring that every guest enjoyed a hearty and delicious meal to mark the occasion. 

      After dinner, it was back to the main hall for an afternoon filled with laughter and joy. Bingo games brought out everyone’s competitive side, followed by a special visit from Santa Claus himself! The event wrapped up with a rousing sing-along, spreading the holiday spirit and leaving everyone with smiles and warm hearts. 

      Thank you to all the students, staff, and volunteers who made this magical afternoon possible. It was a heartwarming reminder of the power of community and the joy of coming together during the festive season. 

      Merry Christmas to all from Gosforth Academy! 

       

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    • Principal's Update - 18th December 2024

      Published 18/12/24

      Please click below to view the Principal's update.

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