Barbara Priestman Academy

Barbara Priestman Academy continues to perform well, maintaining its status as a good school since the last inspection. Pupils feel safe and happy, supported by attentive staff who understand their needs, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The school has a broad and ambitious curriculum that has been enhanced to cater to the diverse learning requirements of its students. However, certain aspects of the newly introduced English and communication curriculum still require full embedding to match the stronger areas of the curriculum.

Strengths

• Pupils feel safe and happy at the school.
• Behaviour in lessons is calm and purposeful.
• There is a wide range of personal development opportunities.
• Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum tailored to meet students' needs.
• Effective reading support through a new phonics program.
• Focused support for sixth form students to prepare them for post-school transitions.

Areas for Improvement

• Aspects of the newly introduced English and communication curriculum are not yet fully embedded.

In 2024–25 pupils at Barbara Priestman Academy attended 86.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 43.0% 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, 0.5% of pupils at Barbara Priestman Academy 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 Barbara Priestman Academy had 6.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 22.2% 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 Barbara Priestman Academy had 189 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: 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 2024–25 Barbara Priestman Academy received £23,687 and spent £23,532 for each of its 190 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £880,000 (£4,633 per pupil).

Across all 5 schools of The Ascent Academies' Trust, income was £23,705 and spending £23,261 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). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

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• Secondary Schools

All schools in Sunderland · Sunderland local authority: places and applications

Barbara Priestman Academy is part of The Ascent Academies' Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• Portland Academy Sunderland
• Hope Wood Academy Durham
• Ash Trees Academy Billingham
• Mowbray Academy Bedale
• Springwater Academy Harrogate

What is Barbara Priestman Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Barbara Priestman Academy is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Barbara Priestman Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Barbara Priestman Academy was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Barbara Priestman Academy have?

Barbara Priestman Academy has 189 pupils on roll.

What age range does Barbara Priestman Academy cover?

Barbara Priestman Academy for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Barbara Priestman Academy?

Barbara Priestman Academy is at Meadowside, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 7QN.