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catchment.school

Plains Farm Academy Catchment Area

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

Plains Farm Academy is an academy sponsor led primary school in Sunderland , serving pupils aged 3-11, with 176 pupils, and a capacity of 240 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby primary schools below.

3-11

Age range

176

Pupils

240

Capacity

73%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2015

Plains Farm Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Plains Farm Academy?

The catchment area for Plains Farm 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, Plains Farm 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.

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 →

Plains Farm Academy: 240 places, 73% filled: places available

Plains Farm Academy has a published admission number of 240 places. 176 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 73%. At 73% full, the school currently has headroom below its 240 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 46.8% of pupils at Plains Farm 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 →

Plains Farm Academy: School Information

Full address
Tudor Grove, Sunderland, SR3 1SU
Local authority
Sunderland
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
3-11 years
Free school meals
46.8% of pupils
DfE URN
139389

Other Primary Schools in Sunderland

If Plains Farm Academy is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Sunderland are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Plains Farm 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: Plains Farm Academy

What is the catchment area for Plains Farm Academy?

The catchment area for Plains Farm 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 Plains Farm Academy oversubscribed?

Plains Farm Academy has a capacity of 240 places and currently has 176 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Sunderland.

What is the admissions policy for Plains Farm Academy?

Admission to Plains Farm 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 Plains Farm Academy cover?

Plains Farm Academy is a primary school in 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 Plains Farm Academy?

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

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