St Aidan's Catholic Academy
Sunderland, SR2 7HJ · Sunderland · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st of 18 secondary schools in Sunderland we can score. 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 914 of them, against 7.9/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 58.6 · 80 | 46% | 3.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.37 · 77 | 38% | 2.96 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 53.6 · 82 | 15% | 1.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Aidan's Catholic Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 62.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.37 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,057 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,000. 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 support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores? How does the school ensure consistent progress for boys across different academic levels?
What Ofsted said about St Aidan's Catholic Academy
Overview
St Aidan’s Catholic Academy is described as a “thriving and happy place” where pupils are “extremely proud” and meet the school’s “highest expectations.” The report highlights “exceptionally strong” relationships between staff and pupils, with leaders demonstrating “sensitive and calm authority” and a curriculum that prepares students “incredibly well” for their next steps.
Strengths
- The school provides a “highly ambitious curriculum” that ensures equal opportunities, with “swift and accurate identification” of needs for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Pupils demonstrate “exceptionally positive attitudes towards their learning,” are “completely engaged in lessons,” and produce “high-quality written work.”
- Personal development is “extraordinary,” with pupils developing a “deep understanding and respect for other faiths and cultures” and receiving a “broad and comprehensive careers programme.”
- Staff workload is managed practically, and staff are “very proud to work at the school,” supported by effective governance where governors “hold leaders to account very well.”
- Reading is a “fundamental part of the school’s provision,” with pupils exposed to a rich “Reading Canon” and effective support for those in earlier stages of learning.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum does not have a “consistent impact for some students in the sixth form,” meaning some are “not achieving as highly as they could.” The school should continue to embed and develop the curriculum in all subjects so that all achieve well.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 51.5 |
| 2024/25 | 51.2 |
| 2025/26 | 53.6 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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