Barnes Junior School
Sunderland, SR4 7QF · Sunderland · primary school
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67th of 73 primary schools in Sunderland we can score, 81 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.9/10 against 2,609 of them, against 1.2/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 38.0 · 7 | 40% | 0.27 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 1.0 · 21 | 25% | 0.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Barnes Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 38.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 1.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Brazilian Football, Volleyball, Karate, and multi-sports clubs, as well as singing, dance, guitar, keyboards, and woodwind groups. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 341 pupils against a stated capacity of 360. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in core subjects? What specific strategies are used to raise attainment in reading and maths? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Barnes Junior School
Overview
Barnes Junior School is confirmed as a good school, offering a welcoming environment where pupils feel safe and supported. Staff maintain high expectations for behaviour and learning, fostering a positive community where bullying is rare and pupils flourish. The school provides effective support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they are fully included in school life.
Strengths
- Staff create a "caring learning environment" where pupils, including those with SEND, "flourish" and feel safe.
- The support for pupils with SEND is "highly effective," with precise targets and adapted teaching in provisions like 'The Hive' and 'The Nest'.
- Support for pupils’ well-being is "exemplary," including techniques to overcome anxiety and opportunities for pupil leadership.
- Leaders have introduced a new mathematics curriculum that helps pupils catch up on knowledge lost during the pandemic, with many becoming "fluent in their knowledge of number".
- Staff are "considerate of their well-being and professional development," contributing to a positive staff culture.
Areas to improve
- In some foundation subjects, such as art and design, leaders have not specified knowledge step-by-step, meaning pupils do not build knowledge "systematically".
- Some staff help pupils too much when listening to them read, preventing independent decoding practice and limiting reading fluency.
- Younger pupils lack sufficient opportunities to "reason and problem solve" in mathematics, making these skills "less secure".
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "strong culture of safeguarding" where staff know pupils well and take prompt action on concerns.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 61% |
| 2023/24 | 63% |
| 2024/25 | 38% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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