Best Secondary Schools in Sunderland 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 16 schools across Sunderland. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Sunderland has 16 secondary schools and a further 13 rated Good — 81% of secondary schools in Sunderland are rated Good or Outstanding overall. St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Sunderland follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

16
Total schools
0
Outstanding
0%
Outstanding rate
66.5%
Avg KS2 SATs
38.2
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
🥈 Southmoor Academy
Secondary
 Good 64 View school
🥉 St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington
Secondary
 Good 64 View school
4. Monkwearmouth Academy
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
5. Red House Academy
Secondary
 Good 58 View school
6. Kepier
Secondary
 Good 57 View school
7. Biddick Academy
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
8. Castle View Enterprise Academy
Secondary
 Good 54 View school
9. Thornhill Academy
Secondary
 Good 54 View school
10. Hetton Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 52 View school
11. St Aidan's Catholic Academy
Secondary
 Good 51 View school
12. Sandhill View Academy
Secondary
 Good 51 View school
13. Farringdon Community Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 48 View school
14. Venerable Bede Church of England Academy
Secondary
 Good 43 View school
15. Oxclose Community Academy
Secondary
 Good 40 View school
16. Washington Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 34 View school

Related lists for Sunderland

All schools in SunderlandPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in SunderlandReception–Year 6 only

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Sunderland?
There are 16 secondary schools in Sunderland, of which 0 (0%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Sunderland?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Sunderland is St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Sunderland?
Primary and secondary school applications in Sunderland are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Sunderland council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Sunderland?
0% of secondary schools in Sunderland are rated Outstanding and 81% are rated Good. 84% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.