The Laidlaw Schools Trust
The Laidlaw Schools Trust is an academy trust running 11 schools (6 primary, 3 secondary and 2 all-through) in Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne and County Durham.
Of its 4 schools with a graded Ofsted inspection, 100% are rated Good or Outstanding (4 good).
1 of its schools have been inspected under Ofsted's new report cards: 5 of their 7 graded areas were strong or exceptional.
Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 36.9 in 2023/24, with a Progress 8 score of -0.48 (zero is the national average).
Across its primary schools, 53% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2023/24.
The trust is registered at Companies House as company 05735093, incorporated in 2006.
Sources: DfE GIAS and performance data, Ofsted, Companies House.
Schools in The Laidlaw Schools Trust
| School | Phase | Area | Inspection | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy 360 | All-through | Sunderland | Good (2022) | A8 31.7 |
| Atkinson Road Primary Academy | Primary | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | Good (2023) | KS2 76% |
| Beacon of Light School | Secondary | Sunderland | Good (2023) | - |
| Excelsior Academy | All-through | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | - | A8 33.4 |
| Oxclose Community Academy | Secondary | Washington | - | A8 41.8 |
| Oxclose Primary Academy | Primary | Washington | Good (2022) | KS2 63% |
| Sedgefield Community College | Secondary | Stockton-on-Tees | - | A8 51.5 |
| Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academy | Primary | Stockton-on-Tees | - | KS2 94% |
| South Hylton Primary Academy | Primary | Sunderland | - | KS2 74% |
| Thomas Walling Primary Academy | Primary | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | - | KS2 86% |
| Westgate Hill Primary Academy | Primary | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | Report card: 5/7 strong | KS2 68% |
Results are each school's latest: Attainment 8 for secondaries, KS2 reading and maths expected standard for primaries. The average state school in England scored 46.8 and 76% in 2025.