Kepier
95%
Capacity
1,144
Pupils
1.4x
Demand
About Kepier
Kepier is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Sunderland community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,144 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (95% of 1,210 places).
Ofsted has rated Kepier "Good", the school is led by headteacher Colin Devlin, it falls under Sunderland local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.29 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 46.9. Additionally, ranked 2220th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 11th out of 17 in Sunderland.
Kepier is a popular choice with families — it received 318 applications for 224 places, making it 1.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 238 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 11 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 8 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Kepier include Gymnasium, Music Rooms, Sports Hall, Swimming Pool, Library, Playing Fields, Dining Hall, Tennis Courts, Science Labs, ICT Suite, Theatre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Hockey, Martial Arts, Netball and 2 more, as well as clubs including Model UN, Drama, Art Club, Chess and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 36.8%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Sunderland, Kepier is one of the options available in the North East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Dairy Lane, Houghton le Spring, Sunderland, DH4 5BH |
| Headteacher | Colin Devlin |
| Local Authority | Sunderland |
| Number of Pupils | 1,144 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 36.8% |
| School Capacity | 1,144 / 1,210 (95% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
9 Mar 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 8 May 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.29)
2220th of 3,141
Nationally
84th of 142
In North East
11th of 17
In Sunderland
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed224
318
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
238 families put this school as their 1st choice (75% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kepier
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Dairy Lane, Houghton le Spring
Sunderland, DH4 5BH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.