St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington
102%
Capacity
1,588
Pupils
2.2x
Demand
About St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington
St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Sunderland community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,588 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (102% of 1,550 places).
Ofsted has rated St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington "Good", the school is led by headteacher C Hammill, it falls under Sunderland local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.13 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 52.0. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1251st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 17 in Sunderland.
St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington is a popular choice with families — it received 455 applications for 206 places, making it 2.2x oversubscribed. Of these, 242 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington include Swimming Pool, Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Theatre, Playing Fields, Dining Hall, Astro Turf, Library, ICT Suite, Art Studios, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Dance, Rounders, Tennis, Football and 2 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Eco Club, DofE, Film Club and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 16.7%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Sunderland, St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington 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 | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Biddick Lane, Washington, Sunderland, NE38 8AF |
| Headteacher | C Hammill |
| Local Authority | Sunderland |
| Number of Pupils | 1,588 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 16.7% |
| School Capacity | 1,588 / 1,550 (102% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Oct 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (11 Oct 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 29 Mar 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.13)
1251st of 3,141
Nationally
35th of 142
In North East
3rd of 17
In Sunderland
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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
35.6
'22/23
32.3
'23/24
33.4
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed206
455
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
242 families put this school as their 1st choice (53% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington
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
Biddick Lane, Washington
Sunderland, NE38 8AF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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