St Benet's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School
Sunderland, SR6 9QU · Sunderland · primary school
Check the area around this school
29th 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 the 3,124 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.7/10 among them, against 7.1/10 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 | 78.0 · 84 | 40% | 3.36 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Benet's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 78.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The proportion reaching the higher standard was 7.0%, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.7 out of 10 among them, against 7.1 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 303 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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? What specific support is available for pupils who are not meeting expectations in core subjects? How does the school manage class sizes to ensure individual attention for each child?
What Ofsted said about St Benet's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School
Overview
St Benet’s Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School continues to be a good school, characterised by a "solid sense of community" and a "palpable" Catholic ethos. Pupils are described as respectful, proud, and well-prepared for the next stage of their education, with "exemplary behaviour" and high achievement in most subjects.
Strengths
- The school fosters "strong, trusting relationships" and a joyful atmosphere, with initiatives like ‘Happiness Heroes’ ensuring pupils feel safe and supported.
- Mathematics is a clear strength, with a "carefully sequenced" curriculum that enables pupils to build on prior learning effectively and enjoy problem-solving.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly and receive "timely, high-quality support," allowing them to achieve well alongside their peers.
- The school promotes a "genuine love of reading" through engaging activities and ‘Reading Champions’, while also providing a "vast range of leadership opportunities" that develop pupils’ character exceptionally well.
Areas to improve
- Curriculum delivery and assessment are not yet effective enough in some subjects, limiting pupil achievement; the school must provide training to ensure staff can "implement the curriculum successfully" and assess understanding consistently.
- The early reading scheme is not delivered consistently across all staff, delaying progress for some pupils; the school should review training to ensure all staff have the expertise to implement the scheme with precision.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 68% |
| 2023/24 | 81% |
| 2024/25 | 78% |
| 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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