St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington
Biddick Lane, Washington, NE38 8AFOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington is a secondary school in Washington for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 122 schools in Sunderland. It ranks 1st of 4 secondary schools in Washington. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2012.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 7 March 2012, report published 29 March 2012
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 10 October 2023
Pupils at St Robert of Newminster School achieve well. This is because the school has high expectations for the quality of education pupils receive. There is a strong culture of positive relationships. Pupils are happy and safe. Pupils benefit from the school and wider trust's sharp focus on high standards of behaviour. Learning in lessons is supported by clear routines that all staff apply consistently. The school's 'gold standard' behaviour expectations are the foundation of these routines. Pupils strive to live up to these expectations. If pupils do misbehave, staff and pupils are confident this will be resolved quickly. Pupils embrace the school's motto of 'let your light shine'. Around school, they are polite, courteous and well mannered. Pupils appreciate the work the school does to promote tolerance. This is reflected in the rare instances of bullying and pupils' respectful attitudes towards different faiths and beliefs. The school ensures that pupils can access a curriculum beyond the academic subjects. Pupils enjoy a wide range of activities, including the school production and sporting clubs. Students in the sixth form have a wide range of age-appropriate opportunities, including mentoring, 'medical club' and joining the sixth-form leadership team.
What the school should improve
- In some areas of provision for SEND and personal development, monitoring and evaluation are not as sharp as they could be. This means that the school does not have a precise understanding of the impact of some aspects of its work. The school should ensure that it continues to develop and refine its monitoring and evaluation systems to support leaders to sustain continuous improvements.
- Some pupils do not engage with the school's enrichment offer. This impacts the breadth of experiences these pupils have in school. Leaders should continue to raise expectations of participation so that all pupils, including those in the sixth form, benefit from these opportunities.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
250 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
152 students
Average A level grade C, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,527 pupils on roll, with places for 1,550
Schools near St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Washington
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biddick Academy | 0.3 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 42.5 |
| Oxclose Community Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 41.8 |
| Washington Academy | 1 mile | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 33.1 |
| Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy | 2 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 46.6 |
| Park View School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Attainment 8: 46.4 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs R Gundlach
- Phone
- 01917161700
- Address
- Biddick Lane, Washington, NE38 8AF
- Local authority
- Sunderland
- URN
- 147142
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.