St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington
Washington, NE38 8AF · Sunderland · secondary school
Check the area around this school
7th 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 the 869 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.2/10 among them, against 4.9/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 42.2 · 43 | 30% | 1.28 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.13 · 59 | 25% | 1.48 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.8 · 43 | 10% | 0.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 48.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 48.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.13 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.9 out of 10 among them, against 6.2 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,527 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,550. 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 Sixth Form College structure support pupils transitioning from Year 11? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Progress 8 scores? How does the school manage class sizes with 23 places currently available?
What Ofsted said about St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington
Overview
St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College continues to be a good school, characterised by high expectations and a strong culture of positive relationships. Pupils achieve well within a curriculum that is carefully sequenced to build subject-specific skills, supported by clear behavioural routines and effective safeguarding arrangements.
Strengths
- Pupils are described as "happy and safe," benefiting from a "strong culture of positive relationships" and "high standards of behaviour."
- The curriculum is "carefully sequenced," allowing pupils to become "increasingly skilled in each subject" through excellent subject knowledge and connections between learning stages.
- Teachers effectively support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to access the "same ambitious curriculum as their peers."
- There is a "structured approach to supporting pupils’ reading," including targeted support and a sixth-form mentor programme for those lacking confidence.
- The school offers an "extensive careers programme" that adapts to local labour market information and supports pupils’ next steps.
Areas to improve
- Monitoring and evaluation for SEND and personal development are "not as sharp as they could be," meaning the school lacks a "precise understanding of the impact" of some work.
- Some pupils, including older students, do not engage fully with the school’s enrichment offer, impacting the "breadth of experiences" they receive.
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 | 52.0 |
| 2024/25 | 48.9 |
| 2025/26 | 44.8 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of NE38 8AF, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT