Blackfell Primary School
About Blackfell Primary School
Blackfell Primary School is a state primary in Sunderland with a current roll of 147 pupils against a capacity of 246, meaning it is running at around 60% full. That spare capacity is notable in a local area where many primaries are heavily subscribed. The school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage: 34% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with a national primary average of roughly 24%. Despite this, demand for places is strong. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 24 applications for 15 places, with all 15 first-preference applicants offered a spot. That oversubscription ratio of 1.6 to 1 suggests a solid local reputation, even if the school isn't yet full overall. The headteacher is Danny Patterson, and the school has a non-religious character. It also offers nursery provision for children from age three, which may be a practical draw for local families looking for continuity from early years through to Year 6.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Nov 2021Latest monitoring visit (24 Nov 2021): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 5 Apr 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
7Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:45 – 15:15
Source: blackfell.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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