Schools in Corbridge

Corbridge is one of the parts of Northumberland that still uses the three-tier school system. Children start at a first school, move to a middle school at nine and go on to high school at 13. If you're moving from an area with primary and secondary schools, the changeover ages are the main thing to get used to.

First schools

Corbridge CofE First School

Corbridge (VA) Church of England First School is on St Helen's Lane, a short walk from the Market Place. It's a voluntary aided Church of England school for children aged three to nine, including nursery classes, with around 143 pupils.

The school shares its leadership with Broomhaugh CofE First School in Riding Mill, as The Federation of Broomhaugh and Corbridge Church of England First Schools. The headteacher of both is Mrs Suzanne Hart.

Ofsted last graded the school in November 2019, when it was rated Good in every area. An ungraded inspection in April 2025 found that the school had taken effective action to maintain those standards. Ungraded inspections don't give a new grade, so Good from 2019 remains the school's rating.

Two other services run on the same site. Corbridge Kids Club offers breakfast club from 7.30am and after-school club until 6pm in term time. Corbridge Preschool Early Years is a separate preschool for younger children. Our nurseries and childcare guide covers both.

Phone the school office on 01434 632534.

Broomhaugh CofE First School, Riding Mill

Broomhaugh (VA) Church of England First School is on Church Lane in Riding Mill, about three miles east of Corbridge. It's a small village school for children aged five to nine, with 64 pupils against a capacity of 75. It has no nursery class.

At its inspection in November 2023, Ofsted rated it Good overall, with personal development and early years judged Outstanding. Phone 01434 682374.

Middle school

Corbridge Middle School

Corbridge Middle School on Cow Lane takes pupils aged nine to 13, in Years 5 to 8, and has around 367 on roll. It's a community school run by Northumberland County Council, and the headteacher is Mrs Lindsay Hamilton.

Its partner first schools are Corbridge, Broomhaugh, Slaley and Whittonstall, so the year group brings together children from Corbridge and the surrounding villages. Each year group has 90 places.

Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in every area after its inspection in October 2021. Ofsted inspected it again in February 2026 and published the report in April 2026. We haven't seen the outcome confirmed by an official source, so read that report on the Ofsted website (school reference 122326) for the current picture. Phone 01434 632191.

High school

Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham

At 13, most Corbridge Middle pupils move on to Queen Elizabeth High School on Whetstone Bridge Road in Hexham, about four miles west. Known locally as QEHS, it's an academy in the Hadrian Learning Trust for students aged 13 to 18, with about 1,300 on roll including a sixth form. The headteacher is Mrs Katie Innes.

Ofsted rated QEHS Good in every area, including the sixth form, at its inspection in spring 2024. Phone 01434 610300.

Admissions

Apply through Northumberland County Council's coordinated admissions scheme for:

• a Reception place at a first school
• a transfer to middle school after Year 4
• a transfer to high school after Year 8

This applies even when a school sets its own admission rules. As voluntary aided schools, Corbridge and Broomhaugh first schools may give some priority to church-going families, so read each school's admission policy before you apply.

The council publishes the application windows and closing dates on its website each year. If you miss a deadline, your application is treated as late and is considered only after the on-time applications.

Getting to school

Corbridge First School and Corbridge Middle School are both within walking distance of most of the village. For QEHS, Northumberland County Council decides who qualifies for school transport, based on distance and the nearest suitable school. Check your child's eligibility on the council website before you rely on a bus place. There are also trains from Corbridge station to Hexham, covered in our guide to getting around without a car.

Term dates

Corbridge's council-run schools follow Northumberland County Council's term dates. Voluntary aided schools and academies set their own, though most follow the county calendar closely. Check with your child's school before you book a holiday.