[2] The school has demonstrated academic excellence in a number of subject areas with the progress made by students in Mathematics and Computer Science in the top 10% nationally.

Students come from Ryton, Crawcrook, Clara Vale, Winlaton, Blaydon, Greenside, High Spen, Highfield, Rowlands Gill & Chopwell.

[8][9] In 2003/4 the school improved some facilities thanks to a £3 million investment by Gateshead LEA[citation needed] and the Big Lottery Fund.

[10] That development saw the construction of an additional sports hall, three new science laboratories, a purpose-built drama studio, a suite of music rooms, enhanced art and graphics areas and new modern foreign language classrooms.

[citation needed] In 2011 Hookergate School in High Spen was closed due to falling numbers, and merged with Ryton Comprehensive.

The academy was rebuilt between 2016 and 2019 by Sir Robert McAlpine as part of the Department for Education's Priority Schools Building Scheme.

This building is on the northern part of the academy site and houses the main school dining hall as well as the following departments:- This building is on the southern part of the academy site and houses the main school hall, the main reception, senior management suite, library, learning support and pastoral support as well as the following departments:- The West Wing was constructed following the merger of Ryton and Hookergate Schools and houses the Sixth Form Centre as well as the following departments:-