St Charles’ Shines Bright: North East’s Primary School of the Year 2025!
St Charles’ Catholic Primary School in Gosforth was buzzing with excitement last week — and for good reason!
The school was crowned Primary School of the Year in the North East 2025 by the prestigious Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide, a tremendous accolade that recognises the school’s exceptional academic results and overall performance compared to schools nationwide.
St Charles’, which is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, has worked tirelessly to achieve this milestone. Head Teacher Louise Nealings, who has led the school since 2015, shared her pride in the collective effort behind the award: “This is truly a celebration of the whole school’s achievements. It’s a team effort, driven by our commitment to always doing what’s best for the children.
“As a school, we constantly reflect and review everything we do to ensure it stays at the highest standard. We’re open to learning from others, embracing new ideas, and keeping the children at the heart of every decision.”
A cause for celebration across the school and wider community
The school is home to 240 pupils, from Nursery to Year 6, and the children have been given the unique opportunity to decide amongst themselves how to mark this incredible achievement.
“Our children’s voices are always heard and valued,” Mrs. Nealings continued. “They’ve worked so hard, and they’ll have the final say on how we celebrate. We like to give them options and let them vote – and yes, ice cream vans are often a popular choice!”
Describing the school, Mrs. Nealings said: “We’re a family-oriented community. When you walk into St Charles’, it’s welcoming, supportive, and full of positive energy. There’s a real buzz and a joyous atmosphere every day.”
The Sunday Times Parent Power is widely regarded as the most authoritative school survey in the UK, evaluating over 1,600 schools and ranking them based on academic achievement. The database allows parents to compare schools by location and performance both locally and nationally and is also published as a special print supplement.
Reflecting on the win, Mrs. Nealings added: “It’s such an exciting recognition! Academic success is vital, but so is providing an inclusive, broad, and balanced curriculum that nurtures the whole child. St Charles’ is a strong, steady school, and this award really reinforces why we do what we do.”
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “This is an amazing achievement and a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of the entire school. It’s not only a proud moment for the school either, but also for the wider North East community, showcasing the incredible quality of education in our region. Well done to everyone involved.”
The celebrations at St Charles’ are just beginning, and the entire school community is proud to share this moment of joy and success.
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