The Link School, Sunderland: pupil referral unit, ages 7

The Link School is a pupil referral unit in Sunderland for children and young people aged 7 to 14.

Ages 7–14
164 pupils
Ofsted: Good

School details

Type: Pupil referral unit
Ages: 7 to 14
Boys and girls: Boys and girls
Pupils: 164
Headteacher: Mrs Donna Walker (Headteacher)
Opened: 1 September 2008
Free school meals: 72% of pupils eligible
Council: Sunderland
School reference (URN): 135640

How to get a place

3 steps

Talk to your child’s school or the council
Places in alternative provision are usually arranged by your child’s current school or Sunderland council, rather than applied for directly.
If your child has an EHC plan
The placement should be agreed through the plan, with you involved in the decision.
Get free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can explain your options and come to meetings with you.

Sunderland SENDIASS Sunderland Local Offer How EHC plans work

Questions to ask when you visit

8 questions to tick off as you go

How many children are in each class, and how many adults?
Which therapies happen in school (speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy), and how often?
What training do staff have in my child’s needs?
How do you help children who are anxious, overwhelmed or in distress?
How will you keep in touch with me day to day?
How does home-to-school transport work?
What happens at the big changes: starting, moving up, and leaving at 16 or 19?
Can my child visit first, or have a settling-in period?

Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them on the day.

Ofsted

Rated Good, June 2018; school remains Good (November 2023)

Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in June 2018. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.

Leadership and managementGood
SafeguardingEffective

Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, November 2023).

Read the Ofsted report

Contact and getting there

Swindon Road, Sunderland, SR3 4EE

0191 562 3630 School website

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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive

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The school’s details, how to get a place and the questions to ask, in your inbox.

Other SEND schools nearby

Thorney Close Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
Thornhill Park School Independent · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.6 miles
Academy 360 Mainstream + base · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Good 0.9 miles

All SEND schools in Sunderland

By need in Sunderland: Autism (10) · Speech and language (5) · Severe learning (5) · Physical (3) · SEMH (2) · Moderate learning (2) · PMLD (2)

Questions about The Link School

How do I get a place at The Link School?

Places at The Link School are usually arranged by your child’s current school or Sunderland council rather than applied for directly. If your child has an EHC plan, the placement should be agreed through it.

What ages does The Link School take?

Aged 7 to 14, boys and girls.

What is The Link School’s Ofsted rating?

Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2023 at its last graded inspection. Newer inspections no longer give a single overall grade, so read the latest report for the full picture.

Where is The Link School?

Swindon Road, Sunderland, SR3 4EE, in Sunderland.

School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.

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