Special Schools in Sunderland

These generally are options for young people who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and who currently attend a Special School. Placement is dependent on funding from the LEA.


Barbara Priestman School
Meadowside, Sunderland, SR2 7QN
Tel: (0191) 553 6000
Fax: (0191) 553 6004
E-mail: barbarapriestman@schools.sunderland.gov.uk

Barbara Priestman School caters for pupils with:

  • Physical and complex needs
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Pupils access a modified National Curriculum, adapted to meet their individual needs. Teachers and the high-ratio support staff use their specialist Autism training and expertise in complex areas of special educational needs to provide for all children across the ability ranges.

We have access to specialist physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, speech and language, hearing-impaired and visual-impaired provisions, plus an occupational therapist. The school has a specialist physiotherapy area and a hydrotherapy pool.

We strive to encourage individual achievements, which we award with pride and enthusiasm. We work with our students to decide upon an individual learning plan.

Accredited courses include:

  • ASDAN Towards Independence
  • ASDAN Bronze / Silver
  • Entry Level
  • GCSE
  • National Levels 2
  • Young Enterprise
  • Adult Numeracy and Literacy
  • Independent Travel
  • BTEC
  • Certificates of Personal Effectiveness
  • CLAIT

The school is a partner of Thornhill School (which has specialist Business and Enterprise status) and Biddick School (which has specialist status for sport), with positive links in place with both of these schools.

Young Enterprise has been a strength of the school, and each year we compete for awards in various areas. In 2008, we won Best Trade Stand.

At Barbara Priestman the students are able to undertake the following:

  • Accreditation to suit each student
  • Adult Numeracy and Literacy
  • Tailored curriculum
  • Consistent and accurate assessment with regular feedback
  • Extended curriculum
  • Excellent Young Enterprise Scheme
  • Career guidance for life after school
  • Work Experience
  • Communication skills
  • Comfortable learning environment with well-qualified staff




Castlegreen Community School
Craigshaw Road, Hylton Castle, Sunderland, SR5 3NF
Tel: (0191) 553 5335
Fax: (0191) 553 5338
(www.millenniumschools.co.uk/pub/sunderland/castlegreen/a.html)
E-mail: castlegreen@schools.sunderland.gov.uk

Castlegreen was re-designated as an SEBD (Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties) school in September 2006. Since re-designation, provision for post-16 students has altered significantly.

Post-16 provision will only be for students with SEBD issues. Fifteen places are available for students. Each student will have access to a highly personalised timetable which will be monitored, along with pastoral needs, by their individual tutor. We aim to improve our students' basic skills, work skills, motivation and self-esteem. Behaviour and anger management strategies are also taught.

We match each student's programme to their individual needs by co-ordinating, where possible, their timetable, work placement and other experiences to their chosen career / training pathway.

Castlegreen, in partnership with City of Sunderland College, is currently piloting a scheme where a number of students have access to a supported base within the College, and are given opportunities to engage in a variety of vocational activities including Hairdressing, Performing Arts, Motor Vehicle, Catering and Construction, along with a wide range of Key Skills.

Student options in Years 10 / 11 include:

  • Pre-Uniform (Entry to the Uniformed Services) - NCFE Level One Certificate
  • Vehicle Technology - BTEC Certificate (EDEXCEL)
  • Outdoor Industry - NCFE Level One
  • Construction - BTEC Introductory Certificate
  • Exercise Studies - NCFE Level One Certificate
  • Performance Skills - NCFE Level One / Two Certificates
  • Bushcraft - NCFE Level Two Intermediate Award
  • Land-based Industries (at East Durham College Houghall Campus) - ASDAN / COPE / Wider Key Skills
  • Hairdressing - NVQ Level One
  • Home Economics / Child Development - AQA GCSE / Entry Level
  • Food Hygiene - CIEH Level Two Food Safety Catering Award
  • Personal Finance - Adult Numeracy (on-line) / ASDAN / COPE / Key Skills



Portland College, a Specialist School for Cognition and Learning
Weymouth Road, Chapelgarth, Sunderland, SR3 2NQ
Tel: (0191) 553 6050
Fax: (0191) 553 6048
E-mail: portland.school@schools.sunderland.gov.uk

Portland School caters for pupils with:

  • Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD)
  • Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The main focus of our post-16 students is to provide opportunities for all, to promote and enhance learning as well as to broaden and deepen existing knowledge and develop the ability to transfer these skills into other areas. We hope to provide, where possible, a tailor-made programme for all our post-16 students. This is provided through distinct pathways that our students can access, depending on their strengths and areas for development, as well as a more structured programme which is underpinned by the SEAL curriculum (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) for our more challenging students. A small number of post-16 students, with profound and multiple learning difficulties, follow programmes which develop cognition and communication through sensory stimulation, as well as accessing therapies such as physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

The College provides a plethora of facilities, including after-school clubs, the provision of various professionals (for example a physiotherapist, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist and specialist nurse), with cafe facilities available until 6pm each weekday evening to support community after-school activities, as well as offering courses to mainstream students, including Media Studies and Drama.

We believe that introducing our students to the world of work is very important and we endeavour to provide the majority of students (where appropriate) with either work experience or work placements within the school environment or within local companies. Approximately 70% of all students between the ages of 16 and 19 take part in at least one work-related experience each year.

Awards offered at post-16 include:

  • ASDAN, Certificate of Personal Effectiveness
  • ASDAN, Life Skills
  • AQA, ICT (Level One or Two)
  • Independent Travel
  • Duke of Edinburgh's Awards
  • ASDAN Towards Independence (various unit awards)
  • Council for the Community in Physical Recreation
  • Mayor of Sunderland Award Scheme, Stages 1 - 3
  • AQA Unit Awards (specific to individual needs)
  • Wheelchair Handling Course