Gillas Lane Primary Academy
Seaton Avenue, Houghton le Spring, DH5 8EHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Gillas Lane Primary Academy is a primary school in Houghton le Spring for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 122 schools in Sunderland. It ranks 73rd of 73 primary schools in Sunderland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in December 2013.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 4 December 2013, report published 20 December 2013
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 26 June 2024
Staff at Gillas Lane Primary Academy have high expectations of the pupils in their care. Pupils behave extremely well, demonstrating excellent manners. They listen attentively in class and participate enthusiastically in learning activities. Pupils benefit from an ambitious curriculum. Carefully planned teaching from well-trained staff typically helps them to achieve well in a range of subjects. Pupils read regularly due to the school's simple but clear expectation of 'everybody, every night'. The school is rich in high-quality books that pupils enjoy. Opportunities for pupils beyond the academic curriculum are wide-ranging. The programme of outdoor learning has been carefully constructed by leaders. Pupils learn to play collaboratively and imaginatively. Older pupils enjoy their roles as play leaders and buddies. Pupils are proud of their 'edible' playground and the outdoor classroom, which they helped to develop. Instances of bullying are rare. Most pupils are confident that staff would be on hand to help them if they had concerns. Staff know pupils and their families well and are proud to serve them as part of Team Gillas.
What the school should improve
- The current approach to teaching multiplication facts is not enabling pupils to recall these rapidly. As a result, when pupils try to tackle mathematical problems which require quick calculations, pupils find this more challenging. Leaders should ensure that pupils are supported to develop age-appropriate number fluency.
- While the attendance of some pupils has improved over time, this is not the case for some groups of pupils. Rates of persistent absence, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, remain high. The school should continue its work to help pupils, parents and carers to recognise the value of good attendance.
- In a small number of foundation subjects, the knowledge that pupils should learn is not identified sharply enough. This makes it more difficult for staff to be clear about what they should teach. The school should continue the planned work to refine the curriculums in these subject areas so that teachers know precisely the most important knowledge that pupils should learn over time.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
13 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
134 pupils on roll, with places for 150
Schools near Gillas Lane Primary Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bernard Gilpin Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 87% met the expected standard |
| Eppleton Academy Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 62% met the expected standard |
| St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton | 0.7 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 87% met the expected standard |
| Burnside Academy Inspires | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
| Newbottle Primary Academy | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard | 68% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- AIM HIGH ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Kay Straughan
- Phone
- 01915005956
- Address
- Seaton Avenue, Houghton le Spring, DH5 8EH
- Local authority
- Sunderland
- URN
- 143493
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.