St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Washington

About St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Washington

St Bede’s Catholic Primary School in Washington is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary for children aged 3 to 11, and it’s currently running above its official capacity. With 222 pupils on roll against a capacity of 210, the school is clearly popular among local families. That demand is backed up by the admissions data for the 2025/26 intake: the school received 38 applications for just 20 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.9. All 20 first-preference applicants were offered a place, but the overall numbers show that nearly half of families who applied missed out. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals sits at 10.3%, which is notably lower than the national average for state primary schools — typically around 23-24% — suggesting the school draws from a relatively less disadvantaged catchment. The school also offers nursery provision, which may be a factor in its appeal for families looking for continuity from early years through to Key Stage 2.

Academically, St Bede’s holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained consistently across its two most recent inspections, including the most recent graded visit in April 2024. In that inspection, every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — was rated Good. At Key Stage 2, 62% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is slightly below the local authority average of 67%. The school’s average scores in reading and maths both sit at 103, in line with the national average. However, the proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects is just 4%, and the school ranks 49th out of 73 primary schools in Sunderland on this measure, placing it in the bottom half locally. In writing, 85% of pupils reached the expected standard, which is a relative strength, while maths (65%) and reading (73%) lag a little behind.

The school is well equipped with facilities that support both learning and pastoral care. There’s a sensory room, a forest school area, a chapel, a library, and a sports hall, plus outdoor playing fields and a playground. Clubs include art, drama, science and chess, and the sports on offer range from football and netball to dance and athletics. For families with children who have additional needs, St Bede’s has a broad range of SEND provisions, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, dyslexia, and social, emotional and mental health needs. The school is oversubscribed, so applying as a first preference is essential. It’s a good fit for Catholic families or those who value a faith-based primary with strong early years provision and a clear focus on pastoral support, though those prioritising top-tier academic outcomes may want to compare with higher-ranked peers in the area.

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