Valley Road Academy, Sunderland

In its own words: "Welcome to Valley Road Academy. We are a very successful, happy and inclusive school and every decision we make is to achieve Success for All - our school motto. We believe that everyone belongs to our school family, sharing our Valley Road Values. We respect each other, learn and grow together, and have high expectations for everyone, regardless of ability."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 89% of Year 6 pupils at Valley Road Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 87% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 78% in Sunderland and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 80% in reading and 81% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 34 families put Valley Road Academy as their first choice and 47 named it as one of their preferences, for 34 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 Valley Road Academy are Grangetown Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 80% reading, 77% maths); Hudson Road Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 80% reading, 83% maths); Hill View Junior Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 89% reading, 88% maths); and Hill View Infant Academy (1 mile, Good).

Valley Road Academy's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

Valley Road Academy is one of 3 schools run by Iris Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 81% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

34% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 93 pupils (27%) received SEN support and 7 (2%) 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.

Valley Road Academy has a resourced provision (8 places, 8 pupils on roll) and a SEN unit (8 places, 8 pupils on roll) for speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Park Lane (Tyne and Wear Metro Station), about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Villette Road (se-bound), 70 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Valley Road Academy stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 3rd decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 493 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, Valley Road Academy issued 1 suspension, 0.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Valley Road Academy are Southmoor Academy (0.5 miles), St Aidan's Catholic Academy (0.8 miles), Thornhill Academy (0.9 miles) and St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy (0.9 miles).