SCHOOL PROFILE

Alternative Education Service - The Beacon Centre

Not applicable Pupil referral unit URN 108666
Open
Pupils 8,834,192 Latest school census
Capacity — Published school capacity
Capacity used — Pupils as a share of capacity
Age range 4 – 16 Statutory age range
OFSTED

Latest graded inspection

28 March 2023
Latest published outcome Good
OEIF
Quality of education Good
Behaviour & attitudes Good
Personal development Good
Leadership & management Good
SCHOOL DETAILS

About this school

School type Pupil referral unit
Phase Not applicable
Gender Mixed
Religious character Does not apply
Local authority South Tyneside
Trust Not applicable
Census date 15 January 2026
PUPIL PROFILE

School community

Latest published pupil characteristics for 2025/26.

2025/26
Total pupils 78 78 full-time · 0 part-time
Female pupils 26 33.3% of pupils
Male pupils 52 66.7% of pupils

Free school meals

Pupils eligible for free school meals.

83.3%
58.5 pts above England
School 83.3%
South Tyneside 33.7%
North East 32.0%
England 24.8%

English as an additional language

Pupils whose first language is not English.

1.3%
19.0 pts below England
School 1.3%
South Tyneside 7.5%
North East 10.0%
England 20.3%

Young carers

Pupils recorded as young carers.

1.3%
0.3 pts above England
School 1.3%
South Tyneside 2.4%
North East 0.9%
England 1.0%

Ethnicity

Largest recorded pupil groups.

White British
94.9%
74
African
1.3%
1
Any other White background
1.3%
1
Any other ethnic group
1.3%
1
Bangladeshi
1.3%
1
Council, regional and national comparisons are pupil-weighted using published school census counts.
ADDITIONAL NEEDS

Special educational needs

Pupils receiving SEN support or with an education, health and care plan.

2025/26
Pupils with SEN 98.7% 77 of 78 pupils
77.9 pts above England England: 20.8%
School 98.7%
South Tyneside 24.7%
North East 22.6%
England 20.8%
SEN support 89.7% 70 pupils
England 14.8% 75.0 pts above
EHC plans 9.0% 7 pupils
England 6.0% 2.9 pts above
PRIMARY NEEDS

Most common identified needs

Pupils
Social, emotional & mental health 73
Other difficulty or disability 2
No specialist assessment yet 1
Specific learning difficulty 1

SEN comparisons are pupil-weighted using published 2025/26 Department for Education school-level data. Primary needs combine pupils receiving SEN support and pupils with EHC plans.

Sources: Department for Education · Get Information about Schools · Ofsted monthly management information