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catchment.school

Barbara Priestman Academy Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Barbara Priestman Academy is an academy special converter not applicable school in Sunderland , serving pupils aged 11-19, with 190 pupils, and a capacity of 178 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-19

Age range

190

Pupils

178

Capacity

107%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2015

Barbara Priestman Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Barbara Priestman Academy?

The catchment area for Barbara Priestman Academy is the geographic zone Sunderland uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Sunderland publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Barbara Priestman Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Sunderland. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Currently oversubscribed: 190 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 178 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Sunderland publishes the 2027 Barbara Priestman Academy numbers →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Sunderland before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Sunderland catchment area documents →

Barbara Priestman Academy: at or above its 178 place limit

Barbara Priestman Academy has a published admission number of 178 places. 190 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 107%. The school is at or above its published limit of 178 places. Sunderland allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 59.1% of pupils at Barbara Priestman Academy are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Sunderland.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Sunderland publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Sunderland school admissions →

Barbara Priestman Academy: School Information

Full address
Meadowside, Sunderland, SR2 7QN
Local authority
Sunderland
School type
Academy special converter
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
11-19 years
Free school meals
59.1% of pupils
DfE URN
138530

Other Not applicable Schools in Sunderland

If Barbara Priestman Academy is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Sunderland are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Barbara Priestman Academy by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Barbara Priestman Academy

What is the catchment area for Barbara Priestman Academy?

The catchment area for Barbara Priestman Academy is the geographic zone Sunderland uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Sunderland publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Barbara Priestman Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, Barbara Priestman Academy currently has 190 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 178 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Barbara Priestman Academy?

Admission to Barbara Priestman Academy is managed by Sunderland. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Barbara Priestman Academy cover?

Barbara Priestman Academy is a not applicable school in Sunderland, serving pupils aged 11-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Barbara Priestman Academy?

Barbara Priestman Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2015. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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