Northern Saints Church of England Academy
Sunderland, SR5 5QL · Sunderland · primary school
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48th 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 — 8.5/10 against 675 of them, against 6.4/10 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 | 68.0 · 60 | 40% | 2.40 |
| Ofsted | 13 | 35% | 0.45 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 11.0 · 71 | 25% | 1.77 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Northern Saints Church of England Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 68.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 11.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 423 pupils against a stated capacity of 630. 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 in reaching the higher standard in maths? What does the daily timetable look like for a Year 6 pupil? How does the new Ofsted report card influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Northern Saints Church of England Academy
Overview
Northern Saints Church of England Academy is described as a school where "all are welcome," underpinned by the ethos that "everyone is different, but everyone is equal." The report highlights a "calm, orderly and respectful environment" where pupils feel safe and supported, with particular praise for the school’s inclusive approach to special educational needs and disadvantaged pupils.
Strengths
- Inclusion is the "heartbeat of the school," with "high aspirations for every pupil" and "highly effective, personalised support" for those with special educational needs.
- Mathematics is a "strength across the school," with pupils developing proficiency through practice and opportunities for reasoning.
- Pupils benefit from a "well-planned and coherent personal development programme" that enriches their experiences through visits, clubs, and community engagement.
- Leaders have established "robust systems to monitor and improve attendance," resulting in an "improving trend for all groups of pupils."
- Staff are "skilled, well-trained" and create a nurturing environment where bullying "very rarely occurs."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should support teachers to use assessment more effectively to "identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge."
- Strategies to close gaps in foundational knowledge, such as phonics and handwriting, need to be "further embedded" so they are closed quickly.
- Learning activities in the early years should be "sufficiently challenging" to enable children to accelerate their learning.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 65% |
| 2023/24 | 73% |
| 2024/25 | 68% |
| 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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