The Poplars

Special
Independent
Ages 8 to 18

Ofsted: Good

Miners Lodge, Market Crescent, New Herrington, Houghton le Spring, DH4 7APOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Poplars is a special school in Houghton le Spring for ages 8 to 18. It is one of the 122 schools in Sunderland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2025.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 14 January 2025, report published 4 February 2025

Overall effectiveness: Good
Quality of education: Good
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Pupil numbers and mix

4 pupils on roll, with places for 4

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Poplars

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Columbia Grange School	2 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	0% met the expected standard
Portland Academy	3 miles	Ofsted: Good	Not published
Sunningdale School	3 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	0% met the expected standard
North View Academy	3 miles	Ofsted: Good	0% met the expected standard
Thornhill Park School	3 miles	Report card: Needs attention to expected standard	Not published

School details

School type: Other independent special school
Sector: Independent
Age range: 8 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Headteacher: Mr Andrew Elliott
Phone: 01916941286
Website: hexagoncare.com (opens in a new tab)
Address: Miners Lodge, Market Crescent, New Herrington, Houghton le Spring, DH4 7AP
Local authority: Sunderland
URN: 150515

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.