“We really are Sunderland’s best kept secret and we’d love to see more people through the doors,” says one of the dedicated volunteers at an East End gem.

Tucked away down Church Walk at the heart of old Sunderland, Donnison School is a real lesson in the history of the city.

Sunderland's historic Donnison School in the East End | Sunderland Echo

placeholder image — Sunderland's historic Donnison School in the East End | Sunderland Echo

A woman way ahead of her time, Elizabeth Donnison recognised the importance of women’s education and left £1500 in her will to fund a school which would provide a free education for female pupils from poor families in Sunderland.

Opened in 1798 in the shadow of the old workhouse in the East End, it would go on to educate thousands of girls, 36 at a time, aged five to 15, until its closure in the early 1900s.

The Grade II-listed building, which also comprises a schoolmistress’ cottage which was added by Elizabeth Woodcock in 1827, was given a whole new lease of life by charity Living History North East who purchased the building for £2,400 in 2001 and spent the next six years raising the £600,000 needed to repair the buildings and put them back at the heart of the community.

Today, it’s open to the public four days a week and hosts numerous community and history events.

Donnison School is in Church Walk in the East End | Sunderland Echo

Earlier this week, however, we reported on how the old school is desperately in need of a new roof to help it continue its work.

The roof is 19 years old and has been damaged numerous times over the years, due to lead thefts, and with so many leaks and heat loss, it’s now been decided that it’s best to find the £12,000 needed for a new roof.

Janette Hilton, Living History project volunteer, said: “We got the keys to the building, which was on the at risk register at the time, in 2001 and it took us another six years to secure funding for the restoration.

“During that time all we could do was try to make it water tight. As soon as we put the new roof on, pretty much from day one, the lead was nicked and it’s now all gone.

“So many people have been on the roof, whether it’s been to steal lead or to fix it, and the last repair cost us £4,000, so it’s time for a new one.”

The appeal was only launched a couple of weeks ago and has already seen £1,500 raised of the £12,000 needed for the new roof.

“It’s absolutely amazing and shows how much the building means to people,” said Janette. “We really are Sunderland’s best kept secret. We have people visiting from all over, but a lot of people in Sunderland still don’t realise we’re here.”

Donations to the roof appeal can be made via the campaign page:https://vcas.enthuse.com/cf/friends-of-donnison-school-heritage-education-cent

A lesson in history

The school brings history to life | Sunderland Echo

Donnison School is a fascinating bridge to the past, a heritage and community centre which hosts everything from craft and photography groups to lectures and dramatisations of the city’s history.

Speaking about Elizabeth Donnison’s legacy in Sunderland, Janette said: “She was a woman before her time. At a time when education for girls, and working class education, wasn’t a thing she decided to set up a school in her will for the education of 36 poor girls in this parish.

"And that’s an indication of her heart and her power as a woman, and a woman with money. She wanted to give back to her community and for me, as a woman, she’s one of my heroines. She recognised that there was a real need in the community here for those women who would be at risk without this kind of education. She was a champion before we knew what a women’s champion looked like.”

The Donnison School has an annual programme of events, which is delivered by a dedicated band of volunteers and partners who keep this corner of the city’s heritage alive.

"It’s a real community centre and we’re here because Sunderland loves this building. It’s part of a unique cultural asset in this beautiful Victorian Georgian quarter and this building should be celebrated and supported,” said Janette.

*For more on visiting The Donnison School visit here https://www.donnisonschoolheritagecentre.com/plan-a-visit

Donnison School events 2026 highlights

Cream teas are held in the tea room at the school | Sunderland Echo

*Shelia Quigley talk. A fundraising talk honouring the life and work of the much‑loved North East crime writer Sheila Quigley.

This event will offer an opportunity to hear about her unpublished autobiography, Nobody’s Child, discovered by her family after her passing in 2020.

The Sheila Quigley event takes place at 1.30pm on Wednesday March 11. Tickets cost £5 per person and places can be booked by calling 0191 565 4835 or emailing [email protected]

*Mother’s Day afternoon tea. Saturday, March 14 from 12.30pm. A cream tea with prosecco. £17 each. Must be pre-booked.

*Easter Fayre. Easter crafts, tombola, bonnet making and more on Saturday, March 21 from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Free entry.

*Donnison Summer Fayre. Bric a Brac, plants and table top sales with entertainment from 11am on June 15. Free entry.