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Local authority · North East

Schools in Sunderland

  • 116State-funded schools
  • 81Primary
  • 18Secondary
  • 7Special
  • North EastRegion
Applications per placeCircle size: applications
First choice · secondary 2026
93%
9 pts above England (84%)
2,921 families applied
First choice · primary 2026
95%
3 pts above England (92%)
2,737 families applied
Applications per place · secondary
1.5
0.8 below England median (2.2)
Median school
New Ofsted report cards
20of 116 schools
Results by area

How hard is it to get a place here?

DfE · families living in Sunderland
Secondary (Year 7) · Sept 2026
93%got their first choice
9 pts above England (84%)

2,921 applicants · 2.1% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 93%; England 84%
  2. 2025 95%; England 84%
  3. 2024 97%; England 83%
  4. 2023 90%; England 83%
  5. 2022 92%; England 83%
  6. 2021 90%; England 81%
  7. 2020 92%; England 82%
  8. 2019 88%; England 81%
  9. 2018 90%; England 82%
  10. 2017 90%; England 83%
  11. 2016 94%; England 84%
  12. 2015 95%; England 84%
  13. 2014 94%; England 85%
  • Sunderland
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20262,92192.9%97.9%2.1%
Sep 20252,85995.1%99.0%1.0%
Sep 20242,81697.3%99.1%0.9%
Sep 20233,03490.3%96.4%3.6%
Sep 20222,98191.8%96.5%3.5%
Sep 20212,94190.2%96.8%3.2%
Sep 20202,79291.9%98.4%1.6%
Sep 20193,03587.9%96.1%3.9%
Sep 20182,94090.4%96.7%3.3%
Sep 20172,74190.5%97.4%2.6%
Sep 20162,60394.2%98.8%1.2%
Sep 20152,50895.3%98.6%1.4%
Sep 20142,59994.1%97.3%2.7%
Primary (Reception) · Sept 2026
95%got their first choice
3 pts above England (92%)

2,737 applicants · 1.8% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 95%; England 92%
  2. 2025 95%; England 93%
  3. 2024 97%; England 93%
  4. 2023 95%; England 92%
  5. 2022 97%; England 92%
  6. 2021 94%; England 92%
  7. 2020 93%; England 90%
  8. 2019 95%; England 91%
  9. 2018 96%; England 91%
  10. 2017 96%; England 90%
  11. 2016 91%; England 88%
  12. 2015 94%; England 88%
  13. 2014 92%; England 88%
  • Sunderland
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20262,73795.0%98.2%1.8%
Sep 20252,78595.4%98.8%1.2%
Sep 20242,70796.7%99.5%0.5%
Sep 20232,68195.4%98.7%1.3%
Sep 20222,78397.2%99.2%0.8%
Sep 20212,83594.1%98.4%1.6%
Sep 20202,91893.5%98.5%1.5%
Sep 20192,88394.6%98.8%1.2%
Sep 20182,83695.6%99.2%0.8%
Sep 20172,82896.4%99.4%0.6%
Sep 20162,95691.0%97.2%2.8%
Sep 20152,85194.2%98.1%1.9%
Sep 20142,80291.7%96.2%3.8%

What has Ofsted found here?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Report cards 20 schools of 116 · since November 2025

  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Attendance and behaviour
  • Personal development and wellbeing
  • Early years (11)
  • Leadership and governance

Bar: share of schools; number of schools at each grade below.

Overall grade from Ofsted's previous framework 80 schools · graded 2010 to 2024

  • Outstanding9
  • Good71
  • Requires improvement0
  • Inadequate0

Includes grades confirmed by a later ungraded inspection. Not comparable with report cards.

Graded 2024/25, no overall grade 16 schools

Key judgementOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of education5911
Behaviour and attitudes682–
Personal development781–
Leadership and management682–

Latest report cards

Every new report card, month by month · RSS for Sunderland

Secondary schools in Sunderland

18 schools · Year 7 entry 2026

Change the order (visual only)

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sorted by Attainment 8, highest first.

Sorted by the date of the latest Ofsted inspection, newest first.

Sorted by name.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeAttainment 8FSM
St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington Faith Remains Good2023 2.2 applications per place 44.8 18%
Venerable Bede Church of England Academy Faith Serious weaknesses Graded · no overall grade2025 2.2 applications per place 43.1 34%
Biddick Academy 2026 1.9 applications per place 48.2 30%
Christ's College Good2023 1.9 applications per place 40.8 35%
Southmoor Academy Remains Good2022 1.7 applications per place 46.8 37%
St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy Faith Good2023 1.7 applications per place 52.1 22%
Oxclose Community Academy Graded · no overall grade2024 1.7 applications per place 42.7 39%
St Aidan's Catholic Academy Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.6 applications per place 53.6 21%
Thornhill Academy Good2024 1.6 applications per place 42.8 50%
Kepier 2026 1.5 applications per place 46.3 38%
Red House Academy Standards maintained2025 1.5 applications per place 49.8 60%
Washington Academy 2026 1.4 applications per place 41.0 58%
Sandhill View Academy 2025 1.4 applications per place 41.1 54%
Monkwearmouth Academy Good2023 1.4 applications per place 42.8 29%
Farringdon Community Academy 2026 1.3 applications per place 46.2 43%
Hetton Academy Graded · no overall grade2024 1.3 applications per place 52.2 45%
Castle View Enterprise Academy Good2023 1.2 applications per place 43.1 47%
Academy 360 Good2022 1.2 applications per place 29.1 63%

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
  • Does not apply

Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

Primary schools in Sunderland

81 schools · Reception entry 2026

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeSATs standardFSM
Seaburn Dene Primary School Good2023 2.8 applications per place 80% 11%
Barnwell Academy Outstanding2023 2.7 applications per place 63% 15%
Benedict Biscop Church of England Academy Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.6 applications per place 97% 9%
St Paul's CofE Primary School Faith Standards maintained2025 2.5 applications per place 88% 13%
Mill Hill Primary School Remains Good2024 2.3 applications per place 79% 15%
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Washington Faith Good2023 2.3 applications per place 72% 12%
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Faith Improved significantly2025 2.3 applications per place 90% 11%
Willow Wood Community Primary School Good2023 2.2 applications per place 75% 60%
Burnside Academy Inspires Standards maintained2024 2.1 applications per place 57% 44%
Biddick Primary School Standards maintained2024 2.1 applications per place 83% 16%
East Herrington Primary Academy Good2022 2.1 applications per place 81% 15%
Redby Academy Good2023 2.1 applications per place 70% 13%
Hetton Primary School Remains Good2024 2.1 applications per place 54% 45%
St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington Faith Outstanding2024 2.0 applications per place 77% 14%
St Anne's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 1.9 applications per place 83% 33%
Fatfield Academy Remains Good2024 1.9 applications per place 74% 14%
St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Washington Faith Good2024 1.9 applications per place 80% 12%
John F Kennedy Primary School 2026 1.9 applications per place 65% 28%
Rickleton Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.9 applications per place 89% 11%
George Washington Primary School Standards maintained2025 1.8 applications per place 62% 45%
Barnes Infant Academy 2026 1.8 applications per place – 13%
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Faith Improved significantly2024 1.8 applications per place 95% 7%
Bernard Gilpin Primary School Outstanding2022 1.8 applications per place 87% 22%
St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.8 applications per place 74% 24%
New Penshaw Academy Remains Good2024 1.7 applications per place 58% 41%
Gillas Lane Primary Academy Remains Good2024 1.7 applications per place 15% 62%
Marlborough Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.7 applications per place 20% 67%
South Hylton Primary Academy 2025 1.7 applications per place 69% 37%
Bexhill Academy 2026 1.6 applications per place 78% 47%
St Leonard's Catholic Primary School, Silksworth Faith Good2022 1.6 applications per place 85% 22%
St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton Faith 2026 1.6 applications per place 87% 9%
Holley Park Academy Remains Good2024 1.6 applications per place 74% 11%
Oxclose Primary Academy Good2022 1.6 applications per place 52% 57%
Lambton Primary School Remains Good2024 1.6 applications per place 38% 32%
Newbottle Primary Academy 2026 1.6 applications per place 68% 15%
Town End Academy Standards maintained2025 1.6 applications per place 54% 48%
Albany Village Primary School Remains Good2023 1.5 applications per place 57% 49%
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Ryhope Faith Good2024 1.5 applications per place 58% 21%
Dubmire Primary Graded · no overall grade2024 1.5 applications per place 63% 29%
Hetton Lyons Primary School 2026 1.5 applications per place 60% 27%
Castletown Primary School Good2022 1.5 applications per place 76% 33%
Blackfell Primary School 2026 1.5 applications per place 80% 40%
Hudson Road Primary School Good2023 1.5 applications per place 68% 37%
Hylton Castle Primary School Remains Good2022 1.5 applications per place 43% 53%
Usworth Colliery Primary School Standards maintained2025 1.4 applications per place 69% 52%
New Silksworth Academy Infant Remains Good · improving2024 1.4 applications per place – 29%
East Rainton Primary School Remains Good2023 1.4small intake applications per place 72% 28%
Grange Park Primary School Good2023 1.4 applications per place 39% 49%
St Benet's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 1.4 applications per place 78% 7%
Thorney Close Primary School Good2023 1.4 applications per place 63% 55%
Valley Road Academy Remains Good2022 1.4 applications per place 85% 39%
Wessington Primary School Remains Good2023 1.4 applications per place 23% 45%
Springwell Village Primary School Good2023 1.4 applications per place 66% 11%
Fulwell Infant School Academy Graded · no overall grade2025 1.4 applications per place – 6%
Eppleton Academy Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 1.3 applications per place 62% 32%
English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Faith Standards maintained2025 1.3 applications per place 68% 37%
Ryhope Infant School Academy Remains Good2022 1.3 applications per place – 32%
Shiney Row Primary School Remains Good2022 1.3 applications per place 71% 49%
Barmston Village Primary School Good2023 1.3 applications per place 60% 64%
Highfield Academy Remains Good2022 1.3 applications per place 82% 50%
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Primary School, Penshaw Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.3 applications per place 67% 13%
Hill View Infant Academy Good2022 1.3 applications per place – 9%
Easington Lane Primary School Remains Good2023 1.2 applications per place 63% 47%
St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Town End Farm, Sunderland Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.2 applications per place 54% 25%
Grindon Infant School 2026 1.2 applications per place – 41%
Dame Dorothy Primary School Remains Good2022 1.2 applications per place – 30%
Diamond Hall Infant Academy Graded · no overall grade2025 1.2 applications per place – 35%
Hasting Hill Academy Good2023 1.2 applications per place 55% 63%
Plains Farm Academy Standards maintained2024 1.2 applications per place 65% 42%
Richard Avenue Primary School Remains Good2023 1.2 applications per place 64% 22%
Grangetown Primary School Remains Good2022 1.2 applications per place 63% 39%
Southwick Community Primary School Good2022 1.2 applications per place 51% 60%
Farringdon Academy 2026 1.1 applications per place 60% 48%
Northern Saints Church of England Academy Faith 2026 1.1 applications per place 68% 59%
Barnes Junior School Remains Good2023 no data 38% 27%
Broadway Junior School Remains Good2023 no data 55% 53%
Diamond Hall Junior Academy Remains Good2022 no data 68% 43%
Fulwell Junior School 2026 no data 78% 11%
Hill View Junior Academy Standards maintained2025 no data 81% 16%
New Silksworth Academy Junior Remains Good2024 no data 51% 50%
Ryhope Junior School 2026 no data 67% 54%

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

Special schools and other provision

17 schools