The Poplars
Other independent special school · Ages 8–18 · Houghton le Spring, Sunderland
The Poplars is an independent special school in Houghton le Spring, Sunderland for ages 8–18.
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Key facts
- Address
- Miners Lodge, Market Crescent, New Herrington, Houghton le Spring, DH4 7AP
- Type
- Other independent special school
- Ages
- 8–18
- Council
- Sunderland
- Pupils on roll
- 4 January 2026 school census
- Free school meals
- z of pupils eligible
Official record: Get Information about Schools · as at 15 September 2026
Ofsted
No Ofsted grade
Strengths
- “Pupils, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enjoy attending this school.”
- “Staff make sure pupils’ safety and well-being are at the centre of everything they do.”
- “Staff know pupils extremely well.”
To improve
- “However, there are some inconsistencies in approaches by members of staff.”
- “This means that some learning tasks do not match pupils’ starting points or match the ambitious intent of the curriculum.”
- “However, there are some inconsistencies in the way that staff guide pupils in their handwriting formation.”
Safeguarding: Effective
Quoted from the Ofsted report published 5 February 2025 (read the report). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What a pass unlocks for The Poplars
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Nearby special, independent and other schools
Straight-line distance, in Sunderland.
- Columbia Grange School 2.1 mi No Ofsted grade
- Academy 360 2.5 mi Good Last distance published
- Portland Academy 2.6 mi Improved significantly
- Christ's College 2.6 mi Good Last distance published
- Sunningdale School 2.7 mi School remains Outstanding
- The Link School 2.7 mi School remains Good
- North View Academy 3.1 mi School remains Good
- Thornhill Park School 3.1 mi No Ofsted grade