Northern Saints Church of England Academy

About Northern Saints Church of England Academy

Northern Saints Church of England Academy is a popular choice among local families, with 49 first-preference applications for 52 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.08. While the school is technically oversubscribed, the ratio is modest, meaning most families who put it first are likely to get a place. Parent satisfaction data isn't available directly, but the fact that the school receives more first-preference applications than it has places suggests a solid local reputation. The school serves a community with high levels of disadvantage — 57.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average — and its Church of England foundation gives it a distinct character. Headteacher Rachel Heaney leads a primary that has held a Good Ofsted rating since its last graded inspection in 2015, with a subsequent ungraded inspection in 2019 confirming the school remains Good.

Academically, Northern Saints performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 73% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to a Sunderland average of 67%. The school ranks 20th out of 73 primaries in the local authority on this measure, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Results are particularly strong in maths, where 84% met the expected standard and 41% achieved a higher score, with an average scaled score of 108. Reading and writing are slightly lower but still solid, with 77% and 74% reaching the expected standard respectively. Only 8% of pupils hit the higher standard across all three subjects, which is a modest figure but understandable given the high proportion of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. The school does not have a sixth form, as it is a primary.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a sports hall, gymnasium, playing fields, music rooms, a forest school and a chapel, reflecting its Church of England character. Clubs include choir, book club, drama and science club, while sports provision covers dance, gymnastics, netball and tennis. SEND support is extensive, with provisions for specific learning difficulties, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language challenges, hearing impairment, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder, plus a resourced provision. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Bexhill Academy, 1.8 km away, which may be worth considering for families who prioritise that rating. Northern Saints suits families looking for a well-regarded, inclusive primary with strong maths outcomes, a Christian ethos and a supportive environment for pupils with additional needs, all within a community-facing Sunderland school.

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