Classpot

Highfield Academy

Sunderland, SR4 0DAPrimaryAges 2–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Oct 2022
KS2 Results
70%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
42 1st-choice / 48 places
Ranking
#4,044
of 13,686 nationally

About Highfield Academy

Of the 42 families who put Highfield Academy as their first choice for a Reception place in 2025/26, every single one was offered a spot. That’s a clean sweep for first-preference applicants, though the school was technically oversubscribed overall, with 65 applications chasing 48 places — a ratio of 1.35 applicants per spot. It suggests a school that local parents know well and trust, even if it doesn’t generate the frantic scramble of the most oversubscribed primaries in Sunderland. The headteacher, Melanie Davies, leads a mixed, non-religious primary for children aged 2 to 11, and the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 judged it Good overall, with leadership and management also rated Good. That was an ungraded visit, meaning inspectors confirmed the school had held onto its Good rating since its previous graded inspection in 2013, when it had been rated Requires Improvement. So there’s a clear upward trajectory on paper.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range2 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressFordfield Road, Sunderland, Sunderland, SR4 0DA
HeadteacherMelanie Davies
Local AuthoritySunderland
Number of Pupils446
Free School Meals (FSM)50.8%
School Capacity446 / 420 (106% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

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 English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

12 Oct 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Latest monitoring visit (12 Oct 2022): School remains Good

Source: Ofsted, 20 May 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
GymnasiumDining HallPlaying FieldsArt StudiosSports HallLibraryMusic RoomsChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

10

Sports

Cross CountryGymnasticsNetballTennisAthleticsSwimmingRounders

Clubs & Activities

DramaChoirChess

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Highfield Academy

Highfield Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.