Hylton Castle Primary School
Sunderland, SR5 3RE · Sunderland · primary school
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68th 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 — 1.0/10 against 995 of them, against 1.1/10 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 | 43.0 · 11 | 40% | 0.42 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.81 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Hylton Castle Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, 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 (1.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Wellbeing Warriors club, a breakfast club, and a school choir. Sports include swimming, dance, gymnastics, and outdoor adventurous activities. Music lessons cover violin, guitar, keyboard, brass, and drums.
Getting in
The published school roll is 229 pupils against a stated capacity of 240. 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 to progress from the expected standard to the higher standard in core subjects? What specific strategies are used to improve reading outcomes for the majority of Year 2 pupils? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Hylton Castle Primary School
Overview
Hylton Castle Primary School is described as an “inclusive and nurturing” environment where pupils are “eager to learn” and demonstrate “positive attitudes towards all aspects of school life.” The report highlights a “strong culture of learning, praise and encouragement” supported by leaders who are “highly ambitious for all pupils.”
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy a “wide selection of books” and demonstrate a “love of reading,” supported by prioritised teaching of reading and well-resourced phonics.
- Mathematics lessons are engaging, with pupils using “a range of calculation methods competently” and recalling facts quickly.
- Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is “highly effective,” with quick identification of needs and strong professional collaboration.
- The personal development programme is successful, promoting “equality and diversity” and ensuring pupils have a “thorough understanding of rights and responsibilities.”
- Staff well-being is prioritised, fostering a “strong team ethos” where most staff “feel valued and are proud to work at the school.”
Areas to improve
- In subjects such as geography, teachers do not always provide activities matching intended outcomes, meaning pupils “do not learn and recall the most important subject knowledge.”
- Some staff lack the expertise to deliver the phonics curriculum consistently, preventing some pupils from gaining the knowledge needed to “read with fluency.”
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff undertaking regular training and ensuring concerns are recorded and reported in a “timely manner.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 41% |
| 2023/24 | 45% |
| 2024/25 | 43% |
| 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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