Fatfield Academy
Southcroft, Fatfield, Washington, NE38 8RBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Fatfield Academy is a primary school in Washington for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 122 schools in Sunderland. It ranks 3rd of 17 primary schools in Washington. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2016.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 4 May 2016, report published 25 May 2016
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 4 June 2024
Fatfield Academy is a happy school. Pupils enjoy school. They particularly appreciate the opportunities they have to influence school decision-making, such as the range of after- school clubs provided. Pupils help to ensure the school day runs smoothly. They take pride in their many responsibilities. Pupils know that staff will listen to them. There are very warm, trusting and respectful relationships. Staff know individual pupils very well. Pupils' behaviour is often exemplary both in lessons and in the playground. Pupils work well together. Staff encourage the youngest children to cooperate and work as a team. Any poor behaviour, including bullying, is rare. Staff deal with any instances of bullying promptly. Pupils enjoy a wide range of opportunities, which promotes their personal development. Outdoor play is exciting and always changing. For example, pupils make clay sculptures in the forest. They play team games, swing from a tyre or splash in the water and play with their friends. A wide-ranging careers programme helps pupils to learn about the world of work. Staff have high expectations of pupils. Tasks are demanding. Pupils present their work to a good standard. They achieve well in mathematics and become keen, fluent readers.
What the school should improve
- The history curriculum does not sequence what should be taught and when clearly enough. There is insufficient guidance to develop pupils' disciplinary knowledge. This means that pupils do not build their knowledge well over time. The school should ensure that the curriculum in all subjects identifies clearly the order in which both substantive and disciplinary knowledge should be taught. The school should ensure that teachers are given the support they need to deliver the curriculum well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
27 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
233 pupils on roll, with places for 240
Schools near Fatfield Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biddick Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 83% met the expected standard |
| John F Kennedy Primary School | 1 mile | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 65% met the expected standard |
| Lambton Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 38% met the expected standard |
| New Penshaw Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 58% met the expected standard |
| Wessington Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 23% 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 Nicky Dowdle
- Phone
- 01914166728
- Address
- Southcroft, Fatfield, Washington, NE38 8RB
- Local authority
- Sunderland
- URN
- 142997
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.