Burnside Academy Inspires
Burnside Estate, Houghton le Spring, DH4 5HBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Burnside Academy Inspires is a primary school in Houghton le Spring for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 122 schools in Sunderland. It ranks 67th of 73 primary schools in Sunderland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2014.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 16 September 2014, report published 8 October 2014
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 22 October 2024
Burnside Academy Inspires is rightly described as 'a small school with a big heart'. Staff know the pupils very well. They care for all pupils deeply and have high expectations for them. It is a highly inclusive place to learn. The school supports all pupils very well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), so that they can succeed. As a result, pupils achieve well. Pupils display positive attitudes to school. In lessons, they work hard. Pupils are happy and keen to join in with class discussions. At social times, pupils are cooperative and kind. In the early years, children concentrate well. They learn to share, and they help each other. The children are very friendly and they welcome visitors warmly. The school is committed to pupils' personal development. Pupils benefit from a range of leadership opportunities. These include school councillors, mental health ambassadors and play leaders. Through these roles, pupils learn to make a positive contribution to their community. For example, if conflicts arise, play leaders help pupils to resolve issues easily. Pupils learn about the importance of their health and well-being. They have a clear understanding of healthy relationships and staying safe both online and offline.
What the school should improve
- The school's writing curriculum is not having the impact on pupils that it should. Some pupils' achievement in writing is hindered by weaknesses in spelling, punctuation and grammar knowledge, and this limits the effectiveness of pupils' written communication. The school should ensure that pupils' literacy skills are developed further and that pupils can use and apply fundamental writing skills accurately across the curriculum.
- The school has recently introduced some strategies to help pupils to remember key knowledge and skills in the wider curriculum. These strategies are not yet fully embedded, and, as a result, some pupils cannot remember the most important learning in some subjects over time. The school should continue to refine and embed the new approaches so that pupils know more and remember more across the wider curriculum.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
14 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
174 pupils on roll, with places for 236
Schools near Burnside Academy Inspires
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newbottle Primary Academy | 0.5 miles | Report card: Expected standard | 68% met the expected standard |
| Bernard Gilpin Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 87% met the expected standard |
| St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton | 0.8 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 87% met the expected standard |
| Dubmire Primary | 0.8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 63% met the expected standard |
| Gillas Lane Primary Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 15% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- INSPIRE MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs L Kelly
- Phone
- 01915120466
- Address
- Burnside Estate, Houghton le Spring, DH4 5HB
- Local authority
- Sunderland
- URN
- 142996
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.