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.

Academically, Oxclose’s Progress 8 score of -0.37 places it in the ‘below average’ banding nationally, and it ranks 12th out of 17 secondary schools in Sunderland on this measure. This is slightly below the local authority average of -0.31, indicating that pupils typically make less progress than those at similar schools across the region. The Attainment 8 score of 40.9 and the basics measure — 53.8 per cent of pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths — provide a mixed picture. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2024 rated it Good across all categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. This represents a continuation of the Good rating it has held since at least its previous inspection in 2010, though the most recent visit was a graded inspection rather than a full section 5.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including science labs, a sports hall, astro turf, music rooms, and a library, alongside clubs such as art, debate, coding, and orchestra. Its SEND provisions cover ten categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support, with a resourced provision on site. Parent View responses from 112 families show that 65 per cent would recommend the school, though opinions are divided: while 73 per cent agree or strongly agree that their child is happy, only 36 per cent feel SEND children get the support they need, and 43 per cent disagree that concerns are dealt with properly. This school will suit families who value a Good-rated, inclusive local option with strong extracurricular breadth, but who are aware that academic outcomes sit below the LA average and that parental satisfaction is mixed on key pastoral issues.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Oxclose Community Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents