Whitley Bay High School
| Whitley Bay High School | |
|---|---|
 Pictured in 2011 | |
| Location | |
Deneholm Monkseaton , , Whitley Bay NE25 9AS 55°02′53″N 1°27′57″W / 55.04809°N 1.46593°W | |
| Information | |
| Type | Foundation school |
| Established | 1935 |
Local authority | North Tyneside |
| 108638 Tables | |
| Ofsted | Reports |
Chair of Governors | Paul Mitchell |
Headteacher | Steve Wilson |
| Staff | approx. 180 |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Age | 13 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 1,602 |
| Colours | Blue and White |
| Website | http://www.whitleybayhighschool.org |
Whitley Bay High School is a mixed upper school and sixth form located in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, England.
Admissions
The school has 1600 pupils; more than 600 are in the sixth form. In 2006, the school was awarded Specialist College Status in Science & Humanities.
It is situated next to Monkseaton Drive (A1148), towards the north of Monkseaton. There is a subway for access under the main road. It is in the parish of St Peter, Monkseaton.
History
Grammar school
The school was originally built as a grammar school in 1963, and was originally known as Whitley Bay and Monkseaton Grammar School. The buildings were officially opened on 7 December 1963, by Edward Boyle, Baron Boyle of Handsworth. It was formerly housed in what is now the Marden Bridge Middle School. The original buildings on site were A Block, B Block and C Block.
Comprehensive
In 1973, it became a high school.
Buildings
The school has since been rebuilt and all except D-Block and a portion of C-Block have been replaced.[1] It had four main buildings, with several other outlying blocks around them. They were:
- A-Block: English, Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, and Spanish), Science (predominantly Chemistry), the school gym, canteen, main hall and various offices.
- B-Block: Mathematics, Geography, Philosophy and Ethics, ICT and an additional sports hall (known as B-Block Hall).
- C-Block: Childcare, Design and Technology, Media Studies, Food Technology, Healthcare, Science (predominantly Biology), learning support and Textiles.
- D-Block (built 2003): Art, Drama, Music, Science (predominantly Physics), the School Library, a music recording studio and a drama studio.
- E-Block (built 2008): Art and Textiles.
- F-Block: Psychology.
- G-Block: Business Studies and Economics.
- H-Block: History and a Reprographics office.
- I-Block: Physical education block for written work.
- S-Block: Media.
Former pupils
- Rudolf Abel, KGB spy, real name William Fisher[2]
- Sam Fender, musician (attended sixth form)[3]
- Lawrence Freedman, academic and historian, member of the Iraq Inquiry[4]
- Peter Ramage, footballer[5]
- WillNE, content creator, owner of Rodd's iced coffee, real name William Lenney[6]
References
- ↑ School, Whitley Bay High. "New Build Gallery". Whitley Bay High School. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ↑ Arthey, Vin (2004). Like father like son : a dynasty of spies. p. 49. ISBN 9781903608074.
- ↑ Duke, Simon (20 February 2019). "Who is Sam Fender? Brits Critics Choice winner set for number 1". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ↑ "Freedman, Rt Hon. Prof. Sir Lawrence (David), (born 7 Dec. 1948), Professor of War Studies, King's College, London, 1982–2014, now Emeritus", Who's Who, Oxford University Press, 1 December 2007, doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U16421, retrieved 25 July 2026
- ↑ "Sports chance". Chronicle Live. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ↑ WillNE | Cambridge Union, 9 April 2023, retrieved 25 June 2026