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Thorney Close Primary School

Sunderland, SR3 4BBPrimaryAges 3–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Sep 2023
KS2 Results
68%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
38 1st-choice / 40 places
Ranking
#4,838
of 13,686 nationally

About Thorney Close Primary School

Thorney Close Primary School in Sunderland serves a community with significantly higher-than-average levels of disadvantage. With 58.5% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the figure is well above the national primary average, and the school’s 290 pupils fill 92% of its 315-capacity building. Demand is solid: for the 2025/26 reception intake, the school received 52 applications for 40 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.3, with all 38 first-preference applicants receiving an offer. This suggests a school that is popular locally but not impossibly competitive. The school is non-denominational and co-educational, taking children from age 3 through 11, with nursery provision available. Headteacher Catherine Jones leads a mixed-gender, state-funded primary that draws from a catchment where social and economic challenges are pronounced, making the school’s intake profile an important factor for parents to weigh.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range3 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressTorquay Road, Sunderland, Sunderland, SR3 4BB
HeadteacherCatherine Jones
Local AuthoritySunderland
Number of Pupils290
Free School Meals (FSM)58.5%
School Capacity290 / 315 (92% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

12 Sept 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Early Years Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 13 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

5
Outdoor PlaygroundICT SuiteSports HallLibraryChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

8

Sports

RoundersSwimmingDanceCross CountryGymnastics

Clubs & Activities

Science ClubArt ClubCoding

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

Resourced Provision
AutismMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyResourced ProvisionOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:55 – 15:15

Breakfast club

07:30-08:45

After-school care

15:15-17:30

Source: thorneycloseprimary.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Thorney Close Primary School

Thorney Close Primary School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.