With a history that spans over 300 years, Dame Allan’s Schools ensures that excellence, stability and happiness remain the cornerstones of the ‘whole-child’ education it provides. 

With two modern sites in the centre of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Dame Allan’s is the only school in the North East to follow the Diamond Structure of education, which offers the academic advantages of single-sex education, plus the social benefits of a co-educational environment. 

The Schools cater for pupils from Early Years to Sixth Form, offering a seamless educational experience. At their Junior School and Nursery, (from ages three-10), boys and girls learn together. Lessons are engaging and fun, with important areas such as STEM covered from an early age. Class sizes are kept small, ensuring each child has focused attention from a teacher who knows them well. 

Outside of the classroom, playtime is taken seriously via the recently launched OPAL (Outdoor, Play and Learning) programme. OPAL includes special zones where children are encouraged to build vital skills, such as teamwork and creative thinking, whilst enjoying lots of activities - from den building, to a mud kitchen, and scooter track. 

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In the Senior School, from ages 11 - 16,  boys and girls are taught separately but mix socially. Pupils are supported to follow their passions without any gender bias, and enjoy lessons that are tailored to how they learn differently.

Will Scott, Principal at Dame Allan’s Schools, said: “At Dame Allan’s, boys and girls have the freedom to push boundaries and experiment with various subjects in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring and diverse. We see a great uptake of girls getting invested in STEM subjects, and have boys passionate in the arts - it is wonderful to see. ”  

The recent GCSE success enjoyed by Senior School pupils demonstrates the effective nature of the diamond model; more than 60 per cent of exams sat by Year 11 pupils achieved grades 9 – 7 (A* to A).

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In Dame Allan’s Sixth Form, all students learn and socialise together, getting ready for a life beyond school. Students benefit from personalised guidance from a dedicated careers team, plus special events such as Dame Allan’s pioneering speaker series, The Lectures, which sees high-profile speakers attend the school to share invaluable real-world experiences. Previous speakers have included Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies and inspirational speaker Marcus Child, with an exciting new line up from Autumn 2023.

Dame Allan’s Sixth Formers also strive for academic excellence. Recently, almost half of grades achieved by Year 13 students were A* and A grades, with many heading to top universities.

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Outside of exams, all pupils are encouraged to take part in the extensive co-curricular programme offered by Dame Allan’s, which includes everything from coding to dance, and football to FemSoc. Pupils are also encouraged to start their own clubs if there isn’t one to suit their interests; recent examples include the Karting Club and the Model UN. 

Dame Allan’s prides itself on being a nurturing environment for all pupils. Both Junior and Senior School pupils can access tailored mental health and emotional support, with wellbeing areas on each site. Both Schools also benefit from a helping paw in the form of friendly Therapy Dogs, Poppy and Heidi. 

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Choosing the right school is an important decision for the whole family, and Dame Allan’s is proud to support parents and children every step of the way through their educational journey. 

To find out more about Dame Allan’s Schools, from Nursery to Sixth Form, please visit dameallans.co.uk