Venerable Bede Church of England Academy
94%
Capacity
843
Pupils
1.7x
Demand
About Venerable Bede Church of England Academy
Venerable Bede Church of England Academy is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Sunderland community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 843 pupils on roll and is well-filled (94% of 900 places).
Ofsted has rated Venerable Bede Church of England Academy "Inadequate", the school is led by headteacher Tracey Burgess, it falls under Sunderland local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -1.04 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 37.6. Additionally, ranked 3039th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 16th out of 17 in Sunderland.
Venerable Bede Church of England Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 191 applications for 114 places, making it 1.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 106 were first-preference applications.
Venerable Bede Church of England Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is below average, with 44% recommending the school (130 responses).
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 Venerable Bede Church of England Academy include Swimming Pool, Library, Music Rooms, Gymnasium, Sports Hall, Dining Hall, ICT Suite, Astro Turf, Playing Fields, Tennis Courts, Sixth Form Centre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Hockey, Swimming, Cross Country, Basketball and 6 more, as well as clubs including Debate, Orchestra, DofE, Choir and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 32.0%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Sunderland, Venerable Bede Church of England 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 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Tunstall Bank, Sunderland, Sunderland, SR2 0SX |
| Headteacher | Tracey Burgess |
| Local Authority | Sunderland |
| Number of Pupils | 843 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 32.0% |
| School Capacity | 843 / 900 (94% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Jan 2025Quality of Education
Inadequate
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Source: Ofsted, 10 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-1.04)
3039th of 3,141
Nationally
131st of 142
In North East
16th of 17
In Sunderland
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less 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.
Ofsted Parent View
130 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
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed114
191
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
106 families put this school as their 1st choice (55% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Venerable Bede Church of England 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
Tunstall Bank, Sunderland
Sunderland, SR2 0SX
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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