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.
9. Scuba fun at Thornhill School
Steve Gibson (front) of The Sunderland Scuba Centre with some of the scuba divers who took part in a sponsored underwater swim at the Thornhill School pool in 2011. | se Photo: Picture by Kevin Brady
10. Smiles at Thornhill in 2012
Author Alexander Gordon Smith with Year 7 pupils at Thornhill School in 2012. | se Photo: Picture by Peter Berry
11. A recipe for recollections
Celebrity cook Stacie Stewart joined Thornhill School Year 10 pupils in 2014 when she opened the school's food section.Here are, left to right; Rebecca Scott, Justin Douglass and Brandon Carr. | se Photo: Picture by Peter Berry
12. They did so well
Thrilling times for these pupils at Thornhill School in Sunderland 10 years ago as they get their exam results. | se