I'm writing this to inform other parents who may be considering Venerable Bede Church of England Academy, based on our family's experience. My daughter was bullied while attending this school. We raised the issue multiple times, and the only action the school ever took was to sit everyone down for a "chat." The girls involved said "sorry," but the bullying continued as if nothing had happened. There were no real consequences and no safeguarding in place to stop it from happening again. As a result, my daughter's mental health deteriorated badly. The situation caused her significant distress, and she eventually had to go to therapy just to help calm herself down and cope with the anxiety the school environment created. No child should leave school needing therapy because bullying was not properly dealt with. Academically and pastorally, the support was also lacking. One particular teacher repeatedly told my daughter off for no clear reason, ignored her complaints, and even dismissed her when she put her hand up to participate. This constant targeting made her feel invisible and unfairly treated. The food was another major issue. The meals were genuinely awful. The paninis -- which were the only thing my daughter would eat -- were hard and cold every single time. Completely inedible and clearly low effort. I've since noticed many more one-star reviews about this school, which sadly just confirms that our experience wasn't an isolated one. My daughter left a few years ago now, but I still feel it's important to warn other parents. The Ofsted rating being the worst possible honestly doesn't surprise me at all. I strongly advise anyone considering this school to read reviews carefully and think twice. Apologies without action, poor staff behavior, and lack of care for students' wellbeing make this a place I would never recommend. Also don't mind my profile name, my son named me this as a joke!! read more

Venerable Bede CE Academy is absolutely horrifying. I was bullied every single day for five years -- verbally abused, socially excluded, and completely abandoned by staff. Complaints were ignored, promises of "solutions" dragged on for months or years, and nothing was ever done. This school does not care about students' wellbeing at all. It's a toxic, soul-crushing environment. The teaching is a joke and often cruel. One maths teacher (won't name them) can't teach for their life, ignored me raising my hand repeatedly, and previously mocked a family member for having Tourette's. How someone like that is allowed near children is beyond comprehension. The food is disgusting. The only thing remotely edible was the paninis -- and even they were flat, hard, and barely edible. This school is so damaging it forced me into CAMS (therapy/counseling for kids) for 10 weeks just to cope with the constant stress and misery. Mental health, confidence, and any sense of safety were completely destroyed. There is literally nothing good here -- no safe environment, no competent teaching, no support, no care, nothing. The students are left to suffer while staff pretend to do their jobs. Do not, under any circumstances, send your child here. This school is dangerous, cruel, and completely incompetent. read more

Horrible school. Teachers are rude and show no respect or sympathy towards their students. Meals are disgusting.