Is St Aidan's Catholic Academy a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 18 February 2025 and graded each area separately, with quality of education judged Outstanding. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded B, 1st of 18 secondary schools in Sunderland. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are St Aidan's Catholic Academy's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at St Aidan's Catholic Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 53.6 (England: 46.2). 58.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at St Aidan's Catholic Academy?

Applications for Year 7 places at St Aidan's Catholic Academy starting in September 2027 close on 31 October 2026. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027 (or the next working day).

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St Aidan's Catholic Academy

Willowbank Road, Ashbrooke, Sunderland, SR2 7HJ

Local ranking1st of 18 secondary schools in Sunderland

Ofsted: OutstandingUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1000

Capacity

11-18

Age range

Boys

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 18 February 2025. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Inspection

Inspected 18 February 2025 — from September 2024 Ofsted no longer gave an overall grade, but each area below was judged in full

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Quality of education: Outstanding
Behaviour & attitudes: Outstanding
Personal development: Outstanding
Leadership & management: Outstanding
Sixth form provision: Good

Scale: Outstanding · Good · Requires improvement · Inadequate

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 53.6 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 58.6% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 79.3% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 174

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 92.0%
Continued in education: 87.0%
Apprenticeships: 2.0%
Employment: 3.0%
Not sustained: 5.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 93.0%
Higher education: 57.0%
Apprenticeships: 12.0%
Employment: 18.0%
Not sustained: 6.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

C+

Avg A-Level Grade

33.0

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

37.0

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.8

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 16.2% nat17.5%
Applied General Avg Points: 32.8
16-18 Cohort: 147

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 992
Boys: 1057 (100%)
Capacity: 1000 (106% full)
SEND: 10.5%
FSM Eligible: 19.5%
EAL: 25.1%
SEN with EHC Plan: 0.5%
SEN Support: 10.0%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 19.2:1
Teachers (FTE): 51.8
Budget per Pupil: £6,283/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 6.1% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 18.6% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Nursery: No Nursery Classes
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 58.5%
Black African: 12.2%
Asian Bangladeshi: 7.8%
Asian Other: 5.6%
Asian Indian: 5.2%
Asian Pakistani: 2.6%
White Other: 1.9%
Other: 1.8%

58.5%

White British

12.2%

Black African

7.8%

Asian Bangladeshi

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01915200333

contactus@staca.co.uk

Visit website

Willowbank Road

Sunderland, North East

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Administrative

URN: 139538
UKPRN: 10041038
Establishment No.: 4607
Trust: BISHOP CHADWICK CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST

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