Most sought-after schools in Sunderland

Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.

This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.

This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.

#	School	First preferences per place	Newest intake	Latest Ofsted
1	Barnwell Academy Houghton le Spring, primary	1.60	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
2	St Paul's CofE Primary School Sunderland, primary	1.51	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
3	Benedict Biscop Church of England Academy Sunderland, primary	1.38	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
4	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Sunderland, primary	1.37	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
5	Willow Wood Community Primary School Sunderland, primary	1.36	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
6	Christ's College Sunderland, all through	1.29	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
7	St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy Sunderland, secondary	1.21	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
8	St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Sunderland, primary	1.20	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
9	Rickleton Primary School Washington, primary	1.18	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
10	St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Sunderland, primary	1.18	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
11	Kepier Houghton le Spring, secondary	1.11	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
12	Dubmire Primary Houghton le Spring, primary	1.10	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
13	Mill Hill Primary School Sunderland, primary	1.10	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
14	St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington Washington, secondary	1.10	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
15	East Herrington Primary Academy Sunderland, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
16	Oxclose Primary Academy Washington, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
17	Bernard Gilpin Primary School Houghton le Spring, primary	1.05	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
18	Fatfield Academy Washington, primary	1.03	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
19	Albany Village Primary School Washington, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
20	Barmston Village Primary School Washington, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
21	Castletown Primary School Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
22	Dame Dorothy Primary School Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
23	Easington Lane Primary School Houghton le Spring, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
24	East Rainton Primary School Houghton le Spring, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
25	George Washington Primary School Washington, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
26	Grange Park Primary School Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
27	Hetton Lyons Primary School Houghton le Spring, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
28	Hetton Primary School Houghton le Spring, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
29	Holley Park Academy Washington, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
30	Hudson Road Primary School Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
31	Hylton Castle Primary School Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
32	John F Kennedy Primary School Washington, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
33	Lambton Primary School Washington, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
34	Marlborough Primary School Washington, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
35	Plains Farm Academy Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
36	Redby Academy Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
37	Seaburn Dene Primary School Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
38	South Hylton Primary Academy Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
39	Southmoor Academy Sunderland, secondary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
40	St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Washington Washington, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
41	St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Town End Farm, Sunderland Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
42	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Washington Washington, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
43	St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton Houghton le Spring, primary	1.00	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
44	Usworth Colliery Primary School Washington, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
45	Valley Road Academy Sunderland, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
46	Wessington Primary School Washington, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
47	Barnes Infant Academy Sunderland, primary	0.98	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
48	Farringdon Community Academy Sunderland, secondary	0.98	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
49	Fulwell Infant School Academy Sunderland, primary	0.98	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
50	Grindon Infant School Sunderland, primary	0.98	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
51	St Aidan's Catholic Academy Sunderland, secondary	0.98	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
52	Castle View Enterprise Academy Sunderland, secondary	0.97	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
53	Red House Academy Sunderland, secondary	0.97	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
54	St Benet's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School Sunderland, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
55	Thorney Close Primary School Sunderland, primary	0.97	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
56	Washington Academy Washington, secondary	0.97	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
57	Biddick Primary School Washington, primary	0.96	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
58	Hasting Hill Academy Sunderland, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
59	Hill View Infant Academy Sunderland, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
60	Richard Avenue Primary School Sunderland, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
61	Springwell Village Primary School Gateshead, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
62	Bexhill Academy Sunderland, primary	0.95	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
63	Burnside Academy Inspires Houghton le Spring, primary	0.95	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
64	Gillas Lane Primary Academy Houghton le Spring, primary	0.95	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
65	Grangetown Primary School Sunderland, primary	0.95	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
66	Oxclose Community Academy Washington, secondary	0.94	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
67	Southwick Community Primary School Southwick, primary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
68	Town End Academy Sunderland, primary	0.94	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
69	Biddick Academy Washington, secondary	0.93	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
70	Blackfell Primary School Washington, primary	0.93	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
71	Eppleton Academy Primary School Houghton le Spring, primary	0.93	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
72	St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington Washington, primary	0.92	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
73	Diamond Hall Infant Academy Sunderland, primary	0.91	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
74	Highfield Academy Sunderland, primary	0.91	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
75	Sandhill View Academy Sunderland, secondary	0.91	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
76	Academy 360 Sunderland, all through	0.90	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
77	Monkwearmouth Academy Sunderland, secondary	0.90	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
78	Northern Saints Church of England Academy Sunderland, primary	0.90	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
79	St Leonard's Catholic Primary School, Silksworth Sunderland, primary	0.90	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
80	New Silksworth Academy Infant Sunderland, primary	0.89	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
81	Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Primary School, Penshaw Houghton le Spring, primary	0.89	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
82	Venerable Bede Church of England Academy Sunderland, secondary	0.89	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
83	St Anne's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School Sunderland, primary	0.85	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
84	English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Sunderland, primary	0.84	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
85	Hetton Academy Houghton le Spring, secondary	0.82	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
86	Shiney Row Primary School Houghton le Spring, primary	0.81	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
87	Farringdon Academy Sunderland, primary	0.78	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
88	Newbottle Primary Academy Houghton le Spring, primary	0.78	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
89	St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Ryhope Sunderland, primary	0.73	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
90	New Penshaw Academy Houghton le Spring, primary	0.72	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
91	Ryhope Infant School Academy Sunderland, primary	0.68	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
92	Thornhill Academy Sunderland, secondary	0.61	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))

Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 92 schools in Sunderland have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in Sunderland · How we compare schools.