Useful information and advice when choosing a school for your child.

Also, we outline the services and facilities available in the Sunderland area.

Schools in Sunderland
We give details of all schools, including Special Schools, in the pdf icon Children's Services Directory 2012 13 [418kb]. Information on how they are performing can be found on our School performance and development page.

School admission arrangements
Sunderland Local Authority is required to consult annually upon the admission arrangements of schools within its area. The consultation for 2014-2015 has taken place and the agreed arrangements and policies for Sunderland schools can be viewed here: School admissions arrangements 2014-2015

Primary schools
pdf icon Admission to Primary School Booklet 2013-14 [351kb]

pdf icon Admission to Primary School Application Form 2013-14 [60kb]

Secondary schools
pdf icon Admission to Secondary School Booklet 2013-14 [199kb]

pdf icon Admission to Secondary School Application Form 2013-14 [60kb]

Special Schools
For further information on local school provision for children with special educational needs, see Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Nursery education
In addition to the nursery schools and classes offered by the Local Authority (LA), there are also a number of private nurseries in Sunderland. If you want a place in an LA nursery or nursery class you should arrange to meet the head teacher of your preferred school. You will be asked to complete a registration form and show a copy of your child's birth certificate to the school.  If you would like more information about private nurseries, please contact the nursery directly.

To see further information about nursery provision in Sunderland, visit our Families Information Service leaflets webpage.

School transfers
If you would like to transfer your child from one Sunderland school to another Sunderland school, you must complete the following application form. pdf icon School Transfer Application Form [58kb]  This must also be completed if you are moving to Sunderland (which includes Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring and Washington) and wish to transfer your child to a Sunderland school or if you are presently living here but would like to move your child from a local school to one outside Sunderland.  If your child is currently attending a Sunderland school the form must be signed by that school's Head teacher.

Further information on the GOV.UK website
The central Government's Schools admissions webpage holds lots of useful advice and information for parents and carers who are going through the processes of choosing a school.