St Aidan's Catholic Academy
99%
Capacity
992
Pupils
1.5x
Demand
About St Aidan's Catholic Academy
St Aidan's Catholic Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Sunderland community, welcoming boys from age 11 to 18. The school has 992 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 1,000 places).
the school is led by headteacher Anne-Marie Whitten, it falls under Sunderland local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.37 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 51.5. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 712th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 1st out of 17 in Sunderland.
St Aidan's Catholic Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 285 applications for 192 places, making it 1.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 187 were first-preference applications.
St Aidan's Catholic Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is overwhelmingly positive, with 96% recommending the school (96 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 10 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 7 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Aidan's Catholic Academy include Library, Dining Hall, Sixth Form Centre, Science Labs, Gymnasium, ICT Suite, Sports Hall, Tennis Courts, Playing Fields, Swimming Pool, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Badminton, Cross Country, Martial Arts and 4 more, as well as clubs including Orchestra, Chess, Coding, DofE and 7 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 19.4%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Sunderland, St Aidan's Catholic Academy 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 18 years |
| Gender | Boys |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Willowbank Road, Sunderland, Sunderland, SR2 7HJ |
| Headteacher | Anne-Marie Whitten |
| Local Authority | Sunderland |
| Number of Pupils | 992 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 19.4% |
| School Capacity | 992 / 1,000 (99% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
18 Feb 2025Quality of Education
Outstanding
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 25 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.37)
712th of 3,141
Nationally
13th of 142
In North East
1st of 17
In Sunderland
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more 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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
33.4
'22/23
30.5
'23/24
30.1
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
96 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
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
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed192
285
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
187 families put this school as their 1st choice (66% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Aidan's Catholic 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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Willowbank Road, Sunderland
Sunderland, SR2 7HJ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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