From January this year (2026) Ofsted have introduced a new inspection framework on which schools and nurseries are assessed, and a number of the city’s schools and nurseries have already been inspected by the education watchdog.
No one-word overall judgement is now given to schools and nurseries with, instead, a traffic light report card given ranging from blue (exceptional), dark green (strong standard), light green (expected standard), amber (needs attention) to red which indicates urgent improvement is needed.
Check out the report card and judgements given to Sunderland schools and nurseries inspected this year.
1. Ofsted inspections
A number of the city's schools and nurseries have been inspected under the new Ofsted framework. | Monkey Business - stock.adobe.com
2. Northern Saints Church of England Academy
Northern Saints Church of England Academy was judged as having two assessed areas at a strong standard and five areas at the expected standard. Inclusion and Personal development and wellbeing were judged to be at a strong standard whilst achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, Early Years, and leadership and governance were deemed to be at the expected standard. | Iconic
3. Grindon Infant School
Grindon Infant School was judged as having six areas at the expected standard and one area in need of attention. Attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, Early Years, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal well being and development were all deemed to being at the expected standard. Achievement was deemed as needing attention. | sn
4. South Hylton Primary Academy
South Hylton Primary Academy was judged as meeting the expected standard in all areas. Achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, Early Years, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing were all deemed to be meeting the expected standard. | Google