Benedict Biscop CofE Academy

Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class

Part of NORTHERN LIGHTS LEARNING TRUST

Marcross Drive, Moorside, Sunderland, SR3 2RE

0191 594 7033 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 8 October 2024
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths97%England 62% · 2024/25
1st highest of 43 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Higher than 100% of 14,185 state primary schools in England.
Pupils333Room for 330 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 265 in 2019, 257 in 2021, 271 in 2022, 289 in 2023, 304 in 2024, 318 in 2025, 333 in 2026. Across England, primary state school pupil numbers were down 4% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.462 for 45 places, September 2026
2nd highest of 45 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Higher than 96% of 15,826 state primary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 8 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Early yearsOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

105 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Sunderland comparisons use the 25 of its 50 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 25 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolSunderlandEngland
My child is happy at this school
Joint 9th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland.
Higher than 47% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
95% 95% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 11th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland.
Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
96% 96% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 8th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland.
Higher than 62% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
94% 91% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 27 parents whose child had been bullied
8th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland.
Higher than 42% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
52% 52% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 67 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 14th highest of 24 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland.
Higher than 45% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
82% 83% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 18 parents of children with SEND
3rd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland.
Higher than 59% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
78% 75% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Joint 6th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland.
Higher than 67% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
95%said yes 91% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 33%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Sunderland figures pool parents at the Sunderland schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25

30 pupils in this year group.

97% — 31 points above the Sunderland average, and 35 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSunderlandEngland
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths 97% 66% 62%
Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths 33% 11% 8%
Met the expected standard in reading 97% 77% 75%
Met the expected standard in writing 97% 75% 72%
Met the expected standard in maths 97% 77% 74%
Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 111 106 106
Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 109 105 105
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, over time
50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% England 2022/23: 60%England 2023/24: 61%England 2024/25: 62% This school 2022/23: 84%This school 2023/24: 90%This school 2024/25: 97% This school England 62% 2022/23 84% 2023/24 90% 2024/25 97%

Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Sunderland. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered45
Families who put it first62
Of those, offered a place45 (73%)
Families who listed it at all115

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.4

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.

Admissions dates and schools in Sunderland

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolSunderlandEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
46th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Higher than 15% of 16,656 state primary schools in England.
9.2% 31.1%* 26.3%
With an education, health and care plan
45th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Higher than 6% of 16,656 state primary schools in England.
0.6% 2.1%* 3.5%
Receiving special educational needs support
42nd highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Higher than 31% of 16,656 state primary schools in England.
11.6% 17.8%* 15.0%
English as an additional language
44th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Higher than 15% of 16,656 state primary schools in England.
1.9% 8.3%* 23.4%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Lower than 95% of 16,640 state primary schools in England.
3.3% 5.2%* 5.2%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
2nd lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Lower than 94% of 16,640 state primary schools in England.
4.0% 13.5%* 13.0%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
Joint 1st lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England.
0.0 1.6 2.5
Pupils suspended at least once
Joint 1st lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England.
0.0% 0.8% 1.1%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.06% 0.03%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 16th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Higher than 68% of 16,642 state primary schools in England.
22.1 20.4 20.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
12th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Higher than 85% of 16,653 state primary schools in England.
13.2 11.3 10.6
Teachers who left during the year
36th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland.
Higher than 28% of 15,063 state primary schools in England.
6.9% 12.2%* 14.4%*

Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby primary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Benedict Biscop CofE Academy's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 8 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did Benedict Biscop CofE Academy do in its SATs?

In 2024/25, 97% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 35 points above the England average of 62%.

Would parents recommend Benedict Biscop CofE Academy?

95% of the 105 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Benedict Biscop CofE Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Benedict Biscop CofE Academy oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 62 families put Benedict Biscop CofE Academy as their first choice for 45 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 45 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.