But what a history it has and we could not wait to find out more about it.
We have photos from 1974 to 2017 showing everything from a VIP visitor in 1994 to students cooking up a storm in the kitchen in 2014.
Relive it all in these Sunderland Echo photo memories.
5. Tackling memories from 2005
Players from Newcastle Falcons passed on their rugby union skills to Year 7 pupils at Thornhill School 20 years ago. | se Photo: PB
6. Didgeredoo memories
Didgeredoo player Kevin Howard with Year 9 pupils at Thornhill School. Here they are in 2007. | se Photo: KB
7. Stylish in 2007
Thornhill School students pictured in our prom photos from 2007. | nw Photo: JM
8. Thrilling in 2011
Pupils from Thornhill school prepare for the journey to their prom at the Stadium of Light in an open-topped bus, in 2011. | se Photo: Picture by Angela Burn
2 / 4