The short version
Average GCSE results. Nearly full. Rated Good by Ofsted (2016).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 44.1 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2016
- This is a Church of England school, so faith criteria may apply to admissions
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
44.1
0.3 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
39%
3.0pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
44%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
91%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
77%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
14%
Employment
Directly into work
1%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
6%
Based on 175 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 23 days per year on average — over a month of school.
31% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
8% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 17 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 11 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 77 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Church of England
Numbers
- Pupils
- 843
- Capacity
- 94%
- FSM
- 32%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Sunderland
- Trust
- NORTHERN LIGHTS LEARNING TRUST
- Head
- Mrs Lisa Turnbull (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksMonitoring visit
5 official reports linked on this page, including 4 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Location
Tunstall Bank, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 0SX
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmSt Leonard's Catholic Primary School, Silksworth
Primary · 614m away
New Silksworth Academy Infant
Primary · 698m away
New Silksworth Academy Junior
Primary · 698m away
Hill View Infant Academy
Primary · 1.1km away
Ryhope Infant School Academy
Primary · 1.2km away
Mill Hill Primary School
Primary · 1.5km away
Hill View Junior Academy
Primary · 1.5km away
Hopespring Sunderland
Independent · 1.5km away
Questions parents ask
Is Venerable Bede Church of England Academy a selective school?
No. Venerable Bede Church of England Academy is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Venerable Bede Church of England Academy's Ofsted rating?
Venerable Bede Church of England Academy was rated Good at its most recent inspection in September 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Venerable Bede Church of England Academy?
Venerable Bede Church of England Academy currently has 843 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Venerable Bede Church of England Academy take?
Venerable Bede Church of England Academy caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Venerable Bede Church of England Academy?
Venerable Bede Church of England Academy is in Sunderland, SR2 0SX, in the Sunderland local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Venerable Bede Church of England Academy have a sixth form?
No, Venerable Bede Church of England Academy does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
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