Highfield Academy
Sunderland, SR4 0DA · Sunderland · primary school
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11th 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.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 9.8/10 against 1,151 of them, against 9.3/10 nationally. 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 | 82.0 · 90 | 40% | 3.62 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 26.0 · 96 | 25% | 2.41 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Highfield Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 82.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 26.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 443 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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
What specific support is available for pupils who have not yet reached the expected standard? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Highfield Academy
Overview
Highfield Academy continues to be a good school, where leaders are ambitious and teachers push pupils to maximise their potential. Pupils feel safe, behave well, and take on responsibilities willingly, such as serving on the student council or acting as ‘reading rangers’. The school places a high priority on wider development, fostering active citizenship through clubs and charity work.
Strengths
- Leaders have an accurate view of the school, spotting emerging issues timely and adapting the curriculum to prioritise reading without narrowing other subjects.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the full curriculum through careful adaptations and effective staff training.
- Children in the early years get off to a strong start, with attentive adults strengthening fine motor skills to prepare them for writing.
- The school has a ‘family feel’, with leaders engaging effectively with staff and providing dedicated mentors for early careers teachers.
- Leaders undertake excellent work to support social and moral development, recognised by the Unicef ‘Rights Respecting School’ Silver Award.
Areas to improve
- Curriculum planning in a minority of foundation subjects, such as history, is not precise enough, leaving teachers unclear on exact content to teach.
- Some pupils do not attend school as regularly as they should, resulting in gaps in their knowledge and understanding.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders being tenacious in their approach and staff knowing the signs that may indicate a pupil could be at risk of harm.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 77% |
| 2023/24 | 70% |
| 2024/25 | 82% |
| 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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