Plains Farm Academy, Sunderland

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Plains Farm Academy, we provide a broad, balanced, rich, varied and stimulating, creative curriculum which motivates, challenges and inspires all to have the highest aspirations and standards, ensuring excellence for everyone on their learning journey enabling them to reach their full potential as responsible citizens."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care until 4:30pm, from £3.50 per session.

In 2025, 74% of Year 6 pupils at Plains Farm Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 65% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 78% in Sunderland and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 75% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 19 families put Plains Farm Academy as their first choice and 23 named it as one of their preferences, for 19 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Plains Farm Academy are Richard Avenue Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 69% reading, 74% maths); Barnes Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 60% reading, 47% maths); Barnes Infant Academy (0.6 miles, Good); and St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland (0.7 miles, 95% reading, 97% maths).

Plains Farm Academy's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.

Plains Farm Academy is one of 5 schools run by Inspire Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 63% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

40.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (87%) and Black (9%).

In 2026, 41 pupils (25%) received SEN support and 6 (3.7%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest tram or metro stop is University (Tyne and Wear Metro Station), about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Premier Road-Tudor Grove (ne-bound), 130 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 235 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Sunderland (148), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Plains Farm Academy issued 3 suspensions, 1.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Plains Farm Academy are Sandhill View Academy (0.8 miles), St Aidan's Catholic Academy (0.9 miles), Thornhill Academy (0.9 miles) and St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy (1.1 miles).