Best Schools in Sunderland 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews
Compare 107 schools and nurseries in Sunderland — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Sunderland has 107 schools educating over 44,000 pupils across Wearside. The city has invested heavily in educational infrastructure, with many schools benefiting from modern buildings and facilities. Sunderland schools have shown consistent improvement in recent years.
St Aidan's Catholic Academy, Farringdon Community Academy and Academy 360 are among the well-known secondaries. The University of Sunderland provides a higher education pathway for local students.
Sunderland at a Glance
Top Primary Schools in Sunderland
| School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Leonard's Catholic Primary School, Silksworth | Sunderland | Good | 100% | — | — |
| St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland | Sunderland | Good | 90% | — | — |
| Benedict Biscop Church of England Academy | Sunderland | Outstanding | 90% | — | — |
| Barnwell Academy | Sunderland | Outstanding | 87% | — | — |
| Rickleton Primary School | Sunderland | Outstanding | 84% | — | — |
Top Secondary Schools in Sunderland
| School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Aidan's Catholic Academy | Sunderland | Outstanding | +0.37 | 71% | 77% |
| Hetton Academy | Sunderland | Good | +0.18 | 76% | 43% |
| St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington | Sunderland | Good | +0.13 | 76% | 76% |
| St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy | Sunderland | Good | +0.09 | 84% | 69% |
| Farringdon Community Academy | Sunderland | Requires Improvement | -0.04 | 73% | 20% |
Admissions in Sunderland — Key Dates
Sunderland City Council coordinates admissions for state schools. Secondary applications closed on 31 October 2025 with offers on 1 March 2026. Primary applications close on 15 January 2026 with offers on 16 April 2026. Apply through sunderland.gov.uk.
Tip: Classpot shows the applications-to-places ratio for every school so you can gauge how competitive admissions are before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best schools in Sunderland?
St Aidan's Catholic Academy, Farringdon Community Academy and Southmoor Academy are well-regarded secondaries. Primary schools in Cleadon, Whitburn and Seaburn achieve strong KS2 results.
How are Sunderland schools performing?
Sunderland schools have improved, with several academies driving change. The city's primary schools generally perform well at KS2.
Are there grammar schools in Sunderland?
No. Sunderland has no state grammar schools. The North East does not have a grammar school tradition. Sunderland operates a comprehensive admissions system.
Find the right school in Sunderland
Browse all 107 schools and nurseries. Filter by Ofsted rating, exam results and distance.
Browse All Schools in Sunderland