Sunningdale School

Sunningdale School has been confirmed as an outstanding institution, delivering high levels of care, support, and tailored learning for its pupils. The school's curriculum is inspirational and effectively supports students' engagement and rapid progress, catering specifically to the needs of those with severe learning difficulties and autism. Parents express satisfaction with the comprehensive support their children receive and the positive learning environment fostered by dedicated staff who know the pupils well.

Strengths

• Exceptional care and support for pupils.
• Inspirational and tailored curriculum.
• High levels of pupil engagement and rapid progress.
• Strong focus on communication and language development.
• Effective use of resources including sensory spaces and a hydrotherapy pool.
• Consistent approach to teaching reading and mathematics.
• Engaging learning environments that promote independence.
• Excellent behaviour management despite various challenges.

In 2024–25 pupils at Sunningdale School attended 92.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 23.6% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Sunningdale School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Sunningdale School had 6.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 15.7% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Sunningdale School had 153 pupils, 98.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; autistic spectrum disorder.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Sunningdale School received £31,433 and spent £29,980 for each of its 150 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £865,000 (£5,785 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

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What is Sunningdale School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Sunningdale School is Outstanding, from an inspection in July 2023.

When was Sunningdale School last inspected by Ofsted?

Sunningdale School was last inspected in July 2023.

How many pupils does Sunningdale School have?

Sunningdale School has 153 pupils on roll.

What age range does Sunningdale School cover?

Sunningdale School for pupils aged 2 to 11.

What are Sunningdale School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Sunningdale School?

Sunningdale School is at Doxford Park Way, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR3 2PP.