SchoolScoresChrist's College
Free school · All-through, ages 4 to 18 · Mixed
Part of EMMANUEL SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
Pennywell Road, Sunderland, SR4 8PG
0191 534 4444 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 17 October 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
65 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Sunderland comparisons use the 6 of its 13 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 7 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.
| Statement | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 87% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 90% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 86% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 33 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 17% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 36% | 43% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 54 parents who had raised a concern 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 22% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 72% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 28% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69%said yes | 83% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
60 pupils in this year group.
63% — 3 points below the Sunderland average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 63% | 66% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 8% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 78% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 80% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 73% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
72 pupils in this year group.
43% — 2 points above the Sunderland average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 43% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 43.2 | 43.3 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
58 pupils in this year group.
83% — 3 points below the Sunderland average, and 9 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 83% | 86% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 14% | 21% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 57% | 53% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 7% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 83% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. 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 secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 89 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 115 |
| Of those, offered a place | 86 (75%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 172 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.3
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.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 47 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 46 |
| Of those, offered a place | 46 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 69 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 64% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 33.0% | 36.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 2.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.3% | 16.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6% | 7.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 9.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 41% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.3% | 27.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.2 | 45.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 33% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 11.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.26% | 0.68% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 4th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 83% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 54% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 15% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 12.0%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary 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 secondary schools
- Academy 360 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 19% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sandhill View Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 2 strong, 3 expected, 1 needs attention · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Castle View Enterprise Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Farringdon Community Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 4 expected · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Thornhill Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- Argyle House School 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Aidan's Catholic Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 63% grade 5+ English and maths
- Red House Academy 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hopespring Sunderland 2.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Christ's College's Ofsted rating?
Christ's College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 17 October 2023.
How did Christ's College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Christ's College?
69% of the 65 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Christ's College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Christ's College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 115 families put Christ's College as their first choice for 89 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 86 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 138567.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.