Highfield Academy is a mainstream primary school in Sunderland for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 111 of its 443 pupils (25.1%) were getting SEN support and 9 (2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 443 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Sunderland.
25.1% get SEN support
111 of 443 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2% have an EHC plan
9 of 443 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication44
- Social, emotional and mental health25
- Moderate learning difficulty22
- Autism14
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream primary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 2 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 443 (places for 420)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Melanie Davies (Acting Head Teacher)
- Part of
- Iris Learning Trust
- Free school meals
- 49.9% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Sunderland
- School reference (URN)
- 144219
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Sunderland council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, April 2013; school remains Good (October 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in April 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, October 2022).
Contact and getting there
Fordfield Road, Ford Estate, Sunderland, SR4 0DA
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- North View Academy Special school · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Academy 360 Mainstream + base · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Good 0.9 miles
- Education and Services for People with Autism Independent · Ages 16–25 1.2 miles
- Northern Saints Church of England Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Diamond Hall Junior Academy Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 28.4%, EHC plans 2.8% 0.7 miles
- Diamond Hall Infant Academy Primary · Ages 2–7 · SEN support 20.7%, EHC plans 1.9% 0.7 miles
- St Anne's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 22.3%, EHC plans 0.4% 0.7 miles
All mainstream schools in Sunderland SEND schools in Sunderland
Questions about Highfield Academy
How many pupils at Highfield Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 111 of the 443 pupils (25.1%) were getting SEN support and 9 (2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Highfield Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (44 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (25 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (22 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Highfield Academy?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Highfield Academy?
Through Sunderland council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Highfield Academy?
You can ask for Highfield Academy to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Highfield Academy have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Academy 360, about 0.9 miles away.
Where is Highfield Academy?
Fordfield Road, Ford Estate, Sunderland, SR4 0DA, in Sunderland.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), 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.