Oxclose Community Academy
About Oxclose Community Academy
Oxclose Community Academy is a mixed secondary school in Sunderland that currently houses 1,078 pupils against a capacity of 1,050, meaning it is operating slightly above its official limit. The proportion of students eligible for free school meals stands at 37.4 per cent, which is notably higher than the national average and reflects the school’s role in serving a community with significant economic need. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 277 applications for 176 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.57, with 166 first-preference offers made. This level of interest suggests that local families see Oxclose as a viable option despite the challenges its intake profile presents. The school does not have a sixth form, so pupils leave at 16, and it operates as a non-faith, state-funded academy under the Sunderland local authority.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 112 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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
19 Nov 2024From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.
Source: Ofsted, 16 Dec 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:30 – 15:15
Breakfast club
08:00-08:30
Source: oxclosecommunity.laidlawschoolstrust.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Oxclose Community Academy
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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications