Schools across Sunderland

Local authority · 125 schools across 7 towns

Total Schools

125

81 primary · 17 secondary

Total Pupils

41,439

90% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

37

4 outstanding · 33 good

Capacity

45,982

4,543 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

33
87
Outstanding: 4
Good: 33
Requires Improvement: 1
Not inspected: 87

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

73.4%

KS2 Maths

74.1%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

91% full
22,570 pupils24,929 capacity

2,359 spare places

Secondary Schools

85% full
14,703 pupils17,370 capacity

2,667 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

6.7%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

17.6%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

105

2024/25

Absence trend across Sunderland schools

5.6%
18/19
4.9%
20/21
7.7%
21/22
7.4%
22/23
7.4%
23/24
6.7%
24/25

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

78%

Plans Issued

220

Assessment Requests

578

Tribunal Cases

75

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

65%
2019
66%
2020
57%
2021
72%
2022
60%
2023
78%
2024

Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.

Admission Appeals

2025 admission appeals by school phase

Primary

3,706 admissions

30

Lodged

(0.8%)

21

Heard

14

Successful

(67%)

Primary (infant classes)

2,924 admissions

15

Lodged

(0.5%)

8

Heard

3

Successful

(38%)

Secondary

3,151 admissions

47

Lodged

(1.5%)

41

Heard

39

Successful

(95%)

Total

6,857 admissions

77

Lodged

(1.1%)

62

Heard

53

Successful

(86%)

Total appeals lodged per year

600
2019
651
2020
464
2021
448
2022
454
2023
460
2024
169
2025

Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.