SchoolScoresNorthern Saints CofE Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of DURHAM AND NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN LEARNING TRUST
Rotherham Road, Sunderland, SR5 5QL
0191 917 1685 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 27 January 2026 , published 23 March 2026.
In short: 2 strong, 5 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
47 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Sunderland comparisons use the 5 of its 81 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 76 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 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 29% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 87% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 2nd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 27% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 84% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 44% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 77% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 13 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 67% of 329 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 54% | 41% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 44 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 48% of 1,062 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 72% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 16 parents of children with SEND 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 54% of 552 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 55% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 48% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91%said yes | 84% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 10%). 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
72 pupils in this year group.
68% — 2 points above the Sunderland average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 68% | 66% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 11% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 75% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 74% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 86% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 105 |
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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 68 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 61 |
| Of those, offered a place | 61 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 72 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 10 places for speech, language and communication needs. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 95% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 57.1% | 31.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 11th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 37% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.4% | 2.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 11th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 91% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 24.0% | 17.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 32nd highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.3% | 8.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 45th lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 14% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.7% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 42nd lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 14% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 20.1% | 13.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 20th lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 64% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4 | 1.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 22nd lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 60% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 45th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 17% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 17.2 | 20.4 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 26th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 65% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.6 | 11.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 43rd highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 20% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 4.1% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby primary schools
- Willow Wood Community Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School, Sunderland 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Castletown Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Town End Farm, Sunderland 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hylton Castle Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bexhill Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Southwick Community Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 51% met expected standard (KS2)
- Town End Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Highfield Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
- Diamond Hall Infant Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Northern Saints CofE Academy's Ofsted rating?
Northern Saints CofE Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 27 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 2 strong, 5 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Northern Saints CofE Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 68% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 6 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Northern Saints CofE Academy?
91% of the 47 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Northern Saints CofE Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Northern Saints CofE Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 61 families put Northern Saints CofE Academy as their first choice for 68 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 61 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 149524.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.