Whitburn Church of England Academy
95%
Capacity
1,205
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About Whitburn Church of England Academy
Whitburn Church of England Academy is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the South Tyneside community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,205 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (95% of 1,265 places).
Ofsted has rated Whitburn Church of England Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher John Crowe, it falls under South Tyneside local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.11 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 48.8. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1793rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 1st out of 8 in South Tyneside.
Whitburn Church of England Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 319 applications for 193 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 188 were first-preference applications.
Whitburn Church of England Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 80% recommending the school (147 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Whitburn Church of England Academy include ICT Suite, Gymnasium, Dining Hall, Music Rooms, Tennis Courts, Art Studios, Sixth Form Centre, Library, Astro Turf, Swimming Pool, Theatre, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cricket, Rugby, Rounders, Football and 2 more, as well as clubs including Orchestra, Film Club, Debate, Coding and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 11.1%, which is well below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in South Tyneside, Whitburn 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 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Whitburn, Sunderland, South Tyneside, SR6 7EF |
| Headteacher | John Crowe |
| Local Authority | South Tyneside |
| Number of Pupils | 1,205 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 11.1% |
| School Capacity | 1,205 / 1,265 (95% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Jan 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (15 Jan 2025): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 3 Dec 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.11)
1793rd of 3,141
Nationally
57th of 142
In North East
1st of 8
In South Tyneside
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
37.2
'22/23
32.8
'23/24
31.9
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
147 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
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed193
319
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
188 families put this school as their 1st choice (59% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whitburn 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
Whitburn, Sunderland
South Tyneside, SR6 7EF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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