Thornhill Academy
Sunderland, SR2 7NA · Sunderland · secondary school
Check the area around this school
10th 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 — 5.8/10 against 345 of them, against 3.5/10 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 | 44.4 · 48 | 30% | 1.45 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.4 · 21 | 25% | 0.52 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.8 · 33 | 10% | 0.33 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Thornhill Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.4 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join STEM, Drama, and Going for Grade 9! clubs, or participate in Yoga, Boxercise, and the Cricket Academy. Trips include visits to Flamingoland, Durham University, and Oxford University workshops.
Getting in
The published school roll is 526 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 close the gap between their current Attainment 8 and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How does the school integrate the RISE Workshops into the regular timetable?
What Ofsted said about Thornhill Academy
Overview
Thornhill Academy is described as a “warm and inclusive school” that “celebrates the diversity of its pupils.” The report states that the school provides a “good quality of education” with “calm” behaviour and effective safeguarding arrangements.
Strengths
- Pupils feel safe and are “confident to talk to each other and visitors” within a respectful community.
- Leaders ensure pupils study a “wide range of subjects” and take qualifications allowing progression.
- The school “accurately identifies pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)” and provides appropriate support.
- There is a “planned approach to reading,” including phonics programmes and daily reading for pleasure.
- Staff are “happy and proud to work at the school” and feel well supported regarding workload and well-being.
Areas to improve
- The school should ensure the curriculum is “implemented consistently well across all subjects,” as there is currently some inconsistency.
- Teachers must ensure pupils have “sufficient opportunity to practise or build their knowledge over time,” rather than being moved on before they are ready.
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 | 39.2 |
| 2024/25 | 41.4 |
| 2025/26 | 42.8 |
| 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 SR2 7NA, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT