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catchment.school

Gillas Lane Primary Academy Catchment Area

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

Gillas Lane Primary Academy is an academy converter primary school in Houghton le Spring, Sunderland , serving pupils aged 3-11, with 143 pupils, and a capacity of 150 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

3-11

Age range

143

Pupils

150

Capacity

95%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2013

Gillas Lane Primary Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Gillas Lane Primary Academy?

The catchment area for Gillas Lane Primary Academy is the geographic zone Sunderland uses to prioritise admissions when this primary 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, Gillas Lane Primary 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.

Operating near capacity: 95% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Gillas Lane Primary Academy goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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 →

Gillas Lane Primary Academy: 150 places, 95% filled: nearing capacity

Gillas Lane Primary Academy has a published admission number of 150 places. 143 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 95%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 150, Sunderland's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 64.5% of pupils at Gillas Lane Primary 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 Houghton le Spring.

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 →

Gillas Lane Primary Academy: School Information

Full address
Seaton Avenue, Houghton le Spring, DH5 8EH
Local authority
Sunderland
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
3-11 years
Free school meals
64.5% of pupils
DfE URN
143493

Other Primary Schools in Houghton le Spring

If Gillas Lane Primary Academy is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Houghton le Spring are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Gillas Lane Primary 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: Gillas Lane Primary Academy

What is the catchment area for Gillas Lane Primary Academy?

The catchment area for Gillas Lane Primary Academy is the geographic zone Sunderland uses to prioritise admissions when this primary 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 Gillas Lane Primary Academy oversubscribed?

Gillas Lane Primary Academy is operating close to its capacity of 150 places (95% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Gillas Lane Primary Academy?

Admission to Gillas Lane Primary 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 Gillas Lane Primary Academy cover?

Gillas Lane Primary Academy is a primary school in Houghton le Spring, Sunderland, serving pupils aged 3-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Gillas Lane Primary Academy?

Gillas Lane Primary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2013. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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