Sunderland school enters exciting new era with major rebuild plans ahead of September 2026 Open Evening
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This Sunderland school will be transformed with a multi-million pound upgrade – and you could be among the first to see what it’s going to look like.
Families across Sunderland are invited to discover the future of education at Thornhill Academy as the school prepares for a transformational multi-million-pound rebuild and opens its doors for a special open evening on Thursday 10th September.
Thornhill Academy is entering an exciting new chapter, with plans for a complete rebuild that will deliver a modern, state-of-the-art learning environment for current and future generations of students.
While the academy's buildings will be transformed, one thing will always remain the same: Thornhill Academy will continue to be a family-sized school where every child is known by name. The school's strong sense of community, personalised support and commitment to helping every student thrive will remain at the heart of everything it does.
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The ambitious investment reflects the academy's continued growth and success, providing outstanding facilities designed to inspire learning, support wellbeing and create even greater opportunities for young people across Sunderland.
The new development builds on the academy's strong reputation for academic excellence, with Thornhill continuing to achieve results that outperform national averages.
In 2025, 6% of mathematics students achieved the highest possible Grade 9, while 70% of students secured a Grade 4 or above in English, exceeding national performance. The Geography department also celebrated exceptional success, with 85% of students achieving Grade 4 or higher – an impressive 20 percentage points above the national average.
Families will have the opportunity to learn more about these exciting developments during Thornhill Academy's Open Evening on Thursday 10 September, where prospective students and their parents or carers can explore everything the academy has to offer.
Visitors will be able to:
- Discover plans for the academy's brand-new, state-of-the-art school building.
- Learn more about Thornhill Academy's Ofsted "Good" rating and record-breaking academic achievements.
- Explore the academy's extensive curriculum, enrichment opportunities and specialist facilities, including the Cricket Academy.
- Find out how the school supports families through cost-saving initiatives, including help with travel and uniform.
Located in the heart of Sunderland, Thornhill Academy is easily accessible by metro and bus, making it a convenient choice for families across the city.
For those unable to attend the Open Evening, Year 5 and Year 6 families are warmly invited to arrange a personal tour with Principal, Mr Liam Clark, to experience the academy first-hand and discuss the exciting future of the school.
Mr. Liam Clark, Principal at Thornhill Academy, said: "Our results improve year on year, reflecting the dedication and hard work of our students and staff. We are incredibly proud of all our young people for their achievements last summer. Thanks must also go to the parents and families for their ongoing support, and to our teachers who go above and beyond to help every child succeed. We are now looking forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 on Results Day and welcoming even more families to see the exciting future of Thornhill Academy as our transformational rebuild takes shape."
Families wishing to attend the Open Evening or arrange a personal tour can contact the school by emailing [email protected]. Or read more on their website here.