Best primary schools in Sunderland
Tyne and Wear averages mislead; Sunderland needs sector-locked school checks. This ranking covers 83 primary schools in the Sunderland local authority. Postcode area SR2 has the highest average school score (65.2 across 9 schools), while SR4 sits at the lower end (50.4). 100% of ranked Sunderland primary schools hold an Ofsted Outstanding or Good rating.
Top 10 primary schools in Sunderland on the LocaleIQ model
Ordered by composite score within the Sunderland comparison pool. Rankings reflect published data, not editorial opinion.
More primary schools in Sunderland
Positions 11–30 in the Sunderland ranking.
| # | School | LocaleIQ | Ofsted | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Dubmire Primary | 89.8 | Good | Primary |
| 12 | St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland | 89.7 | Good | Primary |
| 13 | St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Town End Farm, Sunderland | 89.1 | Good | Primary |
| 14 | Thorney Close Primary School | 85.8 | Good | Primary |
| 15 | Biddick Primary School | 84.6 | Good | Primary |
| 16 | St Leonard's Catholic Primary School, Silksworth | 83.2 | Good | Primary |
| 17 | Hill View Junior Academy | 83.2 | Good | Primary |
| 18 | Highfield Academy | 82.7 | Good | Primary |
| 19 | Valley Road Academy | 79.4 | Good | Primary |
| 20 | Willow Wood Community Primary School | 79.3 | Good | Primary |
| 21 | East Rainton Primary School | 78.1 | Good | Primary |
| 22 | St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland | 78 | Good | Primary |
| 23 | St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton | 77.9 | Good | Primary |
| 24 | Hudson Road Primary School | 76.5 | Good | Primary |
| 25 | Fatfield Academy | 76.2 | Good | Primary |
| 26 | Blackfell Primary School | 76.2 | Good | Primary |
| 27 | East Herrington Primary Academy | 74.3 | Good | Primary |
| 28 | Ryhope Junior School | 72.9 | Good | Primary |
| 29 | St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Washington | 72.7 | Good | Primary |
| 30 | Holley Park Academy | 71.7 | Good | Primary |
Keep exploring Sunderland
Questions about primary schools in Sunderland
What is the best primary school in Sunderland?
Benedict Biscop Church of England Academy is the top-ranked primary school in Sunderland (LocaleIQ score 99.9 out of 100). Ofsted: Outstanding. KS2 expected 97% · higher 33%. The score combines Ofsted outcome, KS2 expected and higher standards, and cohort-weighted percentile ranks within the Sunderland primary pool.
What is the best secondary school in Sunderland?
St Aidan's Catholic Academy tops the Sunderland secondary school ranking (LocaleIQ 92.3). Ofsted: Outstanding. Attainment 8 51.2. See the full secondary school ranking for Sunderland for the complete list.
Which primary schools in Sunderland have the best KS2 results?
KS2 results measure the percentage of pupils meeting expected standards in reading, writing and maths (expected standard) and the percentage achieving well above average (higher standard). Top performers in Sunderland: Benedict Biscop Church of England Academy (KS2 expected 97%, higher 33%); Rickleton Primary School (KS2 expected 89%, higher 18%); St Paul's CofE Primary School (KS2 expected 88%, higher 19%). KS2 results are one of the inputs in the LocaleIQ primary school score alongside Ofsted outcome.
Which primary schools in Sunderland are rated Outstanding by Ofsted?
8 primary schools in the Sunderland ranking hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating: Benedict Biscop Church of England Academy, Rickleton Primary School, St Paul's CofE Primary School, Bernard Gilpin Primary School, Fulwell Junior School, and 3 more. Outstanding means Ofsted judged the school exceptional in all inspection areas. LocaleIQ weighs DfE performance data alongside Ofsted, so a Good-rated school can still rank highly.
How many primary schools are ranked in Sunderland?
This ranking covers 83 primary schools in the Sunderland comparison pool. Schools without sufficient published data are excluded but may appear in the LocaleIQ directory.
Which area of Sunderland has the best primary schools?
By average LocaleIQ score across postcode areas, SR2 has the strongest cluster — 65.2 average across 9 ranked primary schools. SR4 sits at the lower end (50.4 average). Tyne and Wear averages mislead; Sunderland needs sector-locked school checks. Postcode averages mask individual variation — always review each school's full profile.
Ranking data last computed 29 March 2026.