Thornhill Academy, Sunderland

In its own words: "The exciting plans include the erection of a new three-storey teaching block and a swimming pool facility, along with refurbishments to the existing sports hall and reprovision of external sports facilities and a new sports pitch. At Thornhill Academy, we're proud to be at the heart of our community."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is with great pride and genuine excitement that I welcome you to Thornhill . As Principal, it is both an honour and a privilege to lead a school that means so much to me personally."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include swimming, yoga, drama and STEM.

In 2026, pupils at Thornhill Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 42.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.8 in Sunderland and 47 across England.

44% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 46% in Sunderland and 47% in England.

That is up from 41.4 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.4: pupils made below 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 34.9, against 49.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 14.2 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Religious Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 51 families put Thornhill Academy as their first choice and 132 named it as one of their preferences, for 83 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Thornhill Academy are St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy (0.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.1); St Aidan's Catholic Academy (0.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 53.6); Southmoor Academy (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.8); and Venerable Bede Church of England Academy (1.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43.1).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Thornhill Academy.

Thornhill Academy is one of 8 schools run by Consilium Academies, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.6 in 2024/25.

70 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Thornhill Academy (as of September 2025): 97% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 71% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (97%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (71%).

Of the 144 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 84% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 74% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

49.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 41.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (42%), Asian (27%) and Black (17%).

In 2026, 112 pupils (21.3%) received SEN support and 10 (1.9%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest tram or metro stop is University (Tyne and Wear Metro Station), about 610 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Thornholme Road-Beechwood Terrace (ne-bound), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 639 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Sunderland (148), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Thornhill Academy issued 421 suspensions, 74.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 5 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Thornhill Academy are St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland (0.2 miles); Richard Avenue Primary School (0.4 miles); Barnes Infant Academy (0.7 miles); and Barnes Junior School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.