Washington Academy

About Washington Academy

Washington Academy, a mixed state secondary in Sunderland for pupils aged 11 to 16, received a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted in its most recent graded inspection in March 2024. The school’s most telling academic metric is its Progress 8 score of -0.99, which places it well below average nationally and ranks it 15th out of 17 schools in the Sunderland local authority. This means that, on average, pupils achieve nearly one grade lower per subject than their peers with similar starting points. The school’s Attainment 8 score stands at 30.9, and just 31.8% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths. While the Ofsted report notes that behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management are all rated Good, the quality of education remains Requires Improvement, reflecting the challenge of raising academic outcomes across the board.

The school’s Progress 8 score of -0.99 is significantly below the Sunderland local authority average of -0.31, and the gap is particularly stark in maths, where the Progress 8 score is -1.34. English is also below average at -0.84, while the EBacc element sits at -0.98. Only 6.5% of pupils entered the EBacc and achieved a grade 5 or above in both English and maths, and the EBacc average point score is 2.7. The school’s ranking in the North East region is 129th out of 142 schools, and nationally it sits in the bottom 5% of all schools. These figures suggest that while the school is making some progress in personal development and behaviour, the core academic results remain a significant concern for parents considering it as an option.

Washington Academy offers a wide range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, science labs, and a library, alongside clubs such as Eco Club, Model UN, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It has a dedicated SEN unit and provisions for a broad spectrum of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and physical disabilities. The school is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, with 146 applications for 102 places, and 98 first-preference offers made. With 55.7% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a community with high levels of disadvantage. This school may suit families who value strong pastoral care and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, but who are prepared to work with the school on raising academic attainment.

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