The Main School and Briery will be closed on Thursday 7th January 2010 due to the adverse weather conditions. Announcements will be made on local radio stations. Please continue to check the website for further details.

Last updated 19:30 on 06/01/2010

St Aidan’s Catholic School is situated in the Ashbrooke area of Sunderland, a pleasant residential location south of the city centre. Communications are excellent with easy access to Newcastle (12 miles) and Durham (10 miles). Unspoilt, outstanding countryside and a dramatic sweeping coastline are particular features of this part of the North East of England. There is a wide choice of places to live and to suit all life styles.

The history of the school goes back over eighty years. Promoted firstly by the Jesuits in its early years, the Christian Brothers became the trustees in 1948 and established a grammar school. The first lay headteacher was appointed in 1996 when the Brothers relinquished control and the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle assumed the trusteeship. The school has a philosophy of education based on Gospel values in which young people are encouraged to develop their full potential and self worth. As the school’s mission statement proclaims:

‘We believe that God has created each individual to celebrate life to the full’

The school’s spiritual life is supported by a lay chaplain and the local clergy. There are regular liturgical events and informal celebrations. Staff begin each day together with Morning Prayer and reflection.

St Aidan’s is a voluntary aided Roman Catholic boys’ secondary school serving the whole of the city of Sunderland except Washington. There are 1200 on roll with 270 in the 6th form. There is currently a teaching staff of 77 FTE and more than thirty support staff. The school is accommodated on two sites, one of which houses the 6th form. The school playing fields are a short walking distance away.

St Aidan’s is an extremely stimulating and rewarding school in which to learn and teach. All year groups are oversubscribed with students also admitted from outside the catchment area. There is a good social and academic mix with students responsive and engaging. Levels of attainment are good in the context of other local schools and colleges and gender groups. The best results to date, at all key stages, were recorded in 2007. More detailed information is available.