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catchment.school

Southmoor Academy Catchment Area

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

Southmoor Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Sunderland , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1392 pupils, and a capacity of 1264 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,392

Pupils

1,264

Capacity

110%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2018

Southmoor Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Southmoor Academy?

The catchment area for Southmoor Academy is the geographic zone Sunderland uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary 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, Southmoor 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: 1392 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1264 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 Southmoor 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 →

Southmoor Academy: heavily oversubscribed at 110% capacity

Southmoor Academy has a published admission number of 1264 places. 1392 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 110%. At 110% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Sunderland allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 32.8% of pupils at Southmoor Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across 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 →

Southmoor Academy: School Information

Full address
Ryhope Road, Sunderland, SR2 7TF
Local authority
Sunderland
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
32.8% of pupils
DfE URN
138103

Other Secondary Schools in Sunderland

If Southmoor Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Sunderland are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Southmoor 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: Southmoor Academy

What is the catchment area for Southmoor Academy?

The catchment area for Southmoor Academy is the geographic zone Sunderland uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary 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 Southmoor Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, Southmoor Academy currently has 1392 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1264 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Southmoor Academy?

Admission to Southmoor 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 Southmoor Academy cover?

Southmoor Academy is a secondary school in Sunderland, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Southmoor Academy?

Southmoor Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2018. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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