Choosing a secondary school? How Sandhill View Academy helps Sunderland students aspire and achieve

At Sandhill View Academy, education is about more than qualifications. It is about developing confident, ambitious and responsible young people who are ready to make their mark on the world.

Choosing a secondary school

Choosing a secondary school is one of the biggest decisions a family will make. Parents naturally want strong teaching, high expectations and the best possible opportunities for their children. But they also want a school where their child will be known, supported and encouraged to become a confident and successful young adult.

At Sandhill View Academy, that broader understanding of education is at the heart of school life. The academy's ambition is to equip its students for life beyond school as successful, confident, responsible and respectful citizens, underpinned by high aspirations and a belief in education as a route to greater opportunity.

Knowing more, doing more and going further

Sandhill View's message to its students is simple but powerful: "Know More, Do More and Go Further."

That means giving young people a strong academic education while ensuring that their experience of secondary school stretches well beyond the classroom.

The academy offers a broad curriculum spanning traditional academic subjects alongside areas including art and photography, drama, design technology, computing, music, modern foreign languages, environmental studies and physical education.

But what makes the Sandhill View experience particularly distinctive is the attention placed on the person behind the grades.

Helping every student to ASPIRE

Central to this approach is the academy's ASPIRE Character Curriculum, which focuses explicitly on developing character, confidence and communication. Students are encouraged to think about who they are, who they want to become and how their actions can make a positive difference to other people.

ASPIRE is based around six character values:

· A – Ambitious Students are encouraged to aim high, embrace opportunities and develop aspirations for their futures.

· S – Sincere Young people learn the importance of honesty, kindness, positive relationships and being genuine in how they treat others.

· P – Proud Students are encouraged to take pride in themselves, their achievements, their academy and the community of Sunderland to which they belong.

· I – Inclusive The academy promotes an environment in which young people learn to value difference, understand others and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to belong.

· R – Resilient Students learn that success does not always come immediately. Character is strengthened by responding positively to setbacks, persevering and having the confidence to try again.

· E – Ethical Young people are encouraged to think carefully about their choices, understand their responsibilities and develop a strong moral compass.

These six values of Ambitious, Sincere, Proud, Inclusive, Resilient and Ethical form the foundations of Sandhill View's character programme.

Importantly, ASPIRE is not simply a set of words displayed around the academy. Character development is woven into lessons and assemblies and is supported by opportunities for students to put those values into practice.

Opportunities beyond the classroom

One of the most exciting elements of this work is Sandhill View's Electives Programme.

Throughout Years 7 to 9, students have the opportunity to complete nine electives, taking part in three during each year. The activities provide opportunities to try something new, discover talents and develop skills beyond normal lessons. Students can also work towards ASPIRE Achievement Awards at Bronze, Silver and Gold level.

It reflects a belief that some of the most important lessons a child learns at secondary school cannot be measured solely through an examination.

Trying a new activity can develop courage. Working successfully with someone else builds communication. Taking responsibility develops leadership. Experiencing a setback and continuing anyway develops resilience.

Together, these experiences help young people develop the confidence and character they will need for further education, employment and adult life.

The academy's long-term commitment to character education has also received significant external backing. In 2025, education charity SHINE announced funding of £141,251 for a five-year ASPIRE project at Sandhill View, designed to expand opportunities for character development and enrichment and help overcome some of the barriers facing disadvantaged young people.

Proud to be part of Sunderland

Sandhill View Academy understands the community it serves.

As part of Aspire North East Multi Academy Trust, the school shares a wider vision of providing high-quality education while empowering young people to have high aspirations, achieve excellent outcomes and contribute to the regeneration of the region.

That local connection can even be seen in students' learning. For example, the academy's Year 7 geography curriculum includes an enquiry into students' own home and why Sunderland is a major city.

There is a clear message behind this: young people should be proud of where they come from while having the ambition and confidence to go wherever their talents can take them.

Preparing young people for life

Ultimately, the measure of a great school is not simply the grades students collect on results day.

It is the knowledge they have gained, the opportunities they have experienced and the person they have become along the way.

At Sandhill View Academy, the goal is to combine academic learning with aspiration, opportunity and character. Through the ASPIRE Character Curriculum, young people are encouraged to become Ambitious, Sincere, Proud, Inclusive, Resilient and Ethical.

For Sunderland families looking for a secondary school, that offers an attractive promise: a school determined not only to help children succeed academically, but to help them grow into confident young people ready to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider world.

For more information on the school visit the website here