In November 2025, the new Labour Government introduced a new framework for Ofsted inspections.
No one-word overall judgement is now given to schools 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.
Schools are still judged and assessed on key areas including achievement, curriculum and teaching, attendance and behaviour, inclusion, personal development and wellbeing, and leadership and governance. Primary schools are also judged on Early Years provision, whilst secondary schools with sixth forms are also judged on their post 16 provision.
Check out the Ofsted report cards for all the city’s schools inspected under the new framework. This is based on the Ofsted reports published at the time of publication of this article.
1. Sunderland schools Ofsted report cards
Check out the latest Ofsted report cards for the city's schools | Iconic Photo: Iconic
2. Farringdon Community Academy
Farringdon Community Academy was inspected on June 9, 2026. The school was deemed to be at a strong standard for curriculum and teaching, and inclusion, and at the expected standard for achievement, attendance and behaviour, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. | sn
3. Thornhill Park School
Thornhill Park School was inspected by Ofsted on May 12, 2026. The school was deemed to be working at the expected standard in personal development and wellbeing and post 16 provision. Achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance were all judged as needing attention. | David Wood
4. Sandhill View Academy
Sandhill View Academy was inspected by Ofsted on November 18. Inclusion and personal development and wellbeing were deemed to be at a strong standard, whilst achievement, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance were judged to be at the expected standard. Attendance was judged to be in need of attention.