Hetton Academy, Houghton le Spring
Hetton Academy is a secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Houghton le Spring, part of Northern Education Trust. Its 2026 GCSE results were the 2nd-highest of the 18 schools in Sunderland with published results, and 717th of 3,298 across England. It was 73% full in 2025.
- GCSE results
- Above England average
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
- Progress (2024)
- Above average
Year 7 applications for September 2027 close in 5 days
Deadline Saturday 31 October 2026. Apply to Sunderland (the council where you live). Offers on 1 March.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Hetton Academy in detail
Results
In 2026, pupils at Hetton Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 52.2, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.8 in Sunderland and 47 across England.
60% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 46% in Sunderland and 47% in England.
That is in line with 2025, when the score was 51.8.
Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.18: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.
Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 47.2, against 56 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 8.8 points.
Pupils sat GCSEs in 18 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and French.
Getting a place at Hetton Academy
For September 2026 entry, 131 families put Hetton Academy as their first choice and 204 named it as one of their preferences, for 160 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Hetton Academy are Kepier (1.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.3); Belmont Community School (3.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.6); Farringdon Community Academy (4 miles, Attainment 8 46.2); and Seaham High School (4.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.8).
Hetton Academy's 2026 results were higher than all 4 of them.
KepierBelmont Community SchoolFarringdon Community AcademySeaham High School
The trust
Hetton Academy is one of 30 schools run by Northern Education Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.5 in 2024/25.
What parents say
59 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Hetton Academy (as of September 2025): 56% would recommend the school, 73% say their child is happy there and 61% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school has high expectations for their child (81%); the weakest, that they would recommend the school (56%).
Where pupils go next
Of the 106 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 80% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 59% to a further education college, 7% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.
Who goes there
44.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 125 pupils (18.4%) received SEN support and 17 (2.5%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.
Hetton Academy has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs: 10 places, 8 pupils on roll.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Hetton Academy.
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hetton Park Estate (nw-bound), 240 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Hetton Academy issued 830 suspensions, 123.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 7 permanent exclusions.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Hetton Academy are Hetton Primary School (0.1 miles), Hetton Lyons Primary School (0.4 miles), East Rainton Primary School (0.9 miles) and Eppleton Academy Primary School (1 mile). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.
Hetton Primary SchoolHetton Lyons Primary SchoolEast Rainton Primary SchoolEppleton Academy Primary School
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; Ofsted Parent View; DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Sunderland published that the last place for 2024 entry went to a family 2.808 miles away (straight line). The cut-off moves every year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Hetton Academy has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in September 2022. Before that, as Hetton School (URN 108862), it was rated Requires Improvement in September 2021.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's December 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Hetton Academy has transformed significantly since becoming an academy, with exam results now exceeding national averages. The school creates a calm, supportive environment where pupils feel safe and have strong relationships with staff. Teachers are well-trained to deliver a carefully planned curriculum that helps pupils remember what they learn, and the school provides particularly strong support for pupils with additional needs.
Key Strengths
- Exam results now well above local and national averages with rapid improvement in pupil performance
- Clear curriculum with well-trained staff who check understanding and help pupils remember their learning
- Quick identification of pupils with SEND and effective support ensuring they learn in line with their peers
- Positive relationships between staff and pupils creating a safe learning environment
- Inspiring careers programme helping pupils make informed decisions about their future
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils, particularly in key stage 3, are still removed from lessons too frequently
- Suspension rates remain high despite recent improvements
- Some older pupils have gaps in personal development knowledge, particularly about relationships education
- Variability in how well older pupils engage with and remember aspects of personal development teaching
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective.
Extracurricular Activities
Sports activities, school productions, school council
Hetton Academy is a rapidly improving school where exam performance has risen well above local and national averages. The school is calm and supportive, with strong teaching and curriculum planning, though some behaviour issues remain to be addressed.
At a Glance
44.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
Resourced provision: Speech and language
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
59 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
Academic year 2025/26GCSE Results
2025/26 academic year
Progress 8 has improved from -0.41 to 0.18 (2023 to 2024). Attainment 8 has improved from 42.1 to 52.2 (2023 to 2026). GCSE English & Maths 5+ has improved from 46% to 60% (2023 to 2026).
Performance by Group
| Group | Progress 8 | Attainment 8 | Eng+Maths 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| All pupils | - | 52.2 | 59.8% |
| Disadvantaged(52) | - | 47.2 | 48.1% |
| Not known to be disadvantaged(70) | - | 56.0 | 68.6% |
| Boys(61) | - | 54.6 | 68.9% |
| Girls(61) | - | 49.9 | 50.8% |
Show more breakdowns (1)
| Non mobile(119) | - | 52.6 | 61.3% |
2025/26 academic year - DfE performance tables data
GCSE Subjects Offered
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
After GCSEs - Leaver Destinations
After GCSEs (Year 11) - 106 students
2023/24 data
Exclusions & Suspensions
7
Permanent exclusions
1.04%
Exclusion rate
830
Suspensions
123.70%
Suspension rate
166 pupils received one or more suspensions out of 671 pupils
2024/25 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby secondary schools
Keep up with Hetton Academy
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Hetton Academy from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Hetton Academy is in Sunderland; for families living there:
Apply to Sunderland for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 12
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 5
- Children hurt
- 4
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 12 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 7 slight.
4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 4 on foot.
5 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Sunderland is 13 (the median across 125 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Hetton Academy
Will you get a place at Hetton Academy? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Hetton Academy's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Hetton Academy:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Hetton Academy.
- Last distance offered for 2023 and 2024 entry, from Sunderland's own figures, and how your distance compares each year.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Hetton Academy for 2023 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Sunderland got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
73%
Available places
653 pupils
900 places
247 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Houghton le Spring
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Houghton le Spring
Across Sunderland council
Places available
3,305
Applications
2,921
Got 1st preference
92.9%
Got preferred school
97.9%
All secondary applications across Sunderland council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
125
SEN Support
17
EHC Plans
20.9%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Hetton Academy has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs: 10 places, 8 pupils on roll.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
681
Total Pupils
343
Boys
338
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
38
Teachers
17.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£54,887
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£7,663
Per pupil
£5582k
Total funding
£292k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
10.0%
Overall absence
28.8%
Persistent absence
699
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Hetton Academy
Questions parents ask about Hetton Academy
What are GCSE results like at Hetton Academy?
In the 2026 results, pupils at Hetton Academy achieved an Attainment 8 score of 52.2. 60% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
What is Hetton Academy's Ofsted rating?
Hetton Academy has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in September 2022. Before that, as Hetton School (URN 108862), it was rated Requires Improvement in September 2021.
How close to Hetton Academy do you need to live?
Sunderland publishes how far the last offered place was, in miles: 2.633 for 2023 entry, then 2.808 for 2024 entry. The cut-off has held fairly steady over that period. These are the authority's own figures, not a fixed boundary - the cut-off moves with the number of applications each year.
Is it hard to get a place at Hetton Academy?
Hetton Academy was not full in 2025: it ran at 73% of its 900 places.
How big are the classes at Hetton Academy?
Classes at Hetton Academy average 21.3 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Hetton Academy?
Hetton Academy has around 681 pupils on roll. 45% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Hetton Academy have specialist SEN provision?
Hetton Academy has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs: 10 places, 8 pupils on roll.
What is attendance like at Hetton Academy?
10% of sessions were missed at Hetton Academy in 2024/25. 28.8% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Hetton Academy?
Apply through Sunderland's coordinated admissions process, naming Hetton Academy on your application. Applications for Year 7 places starting in September 2027 close on Saturday 31 October 2026, and offers are made on Monday 1 March 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Hetton Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 12 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 7 slight. 4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 4 on foot. 5 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Sunderland is 13 (the median across 125 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Hetton Academy?
Hetton Academy is at North Road, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH5 9JZ.
Sources: Sunderland admissions booklets; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)