Admissions

Welcome to St. Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy

We are committed to the care and success of every pupil in a way that is rooted in the values of the gospel. We expect our pupils to set themselves high standards in their work, their extra-curricular activities and their relationships with others. We encourage them to do so and support them, so that they will achieve. We will work with you to develop your child’s gifts, whatever they may be, so that they are well prepared to take a place in the adult world confidently.

St. Anthony’s has an outstanding reputation for academic achievement, based on a consistent record of excellent examination results. We nurture individual pupils and encourage and assist each one to reach their full potential. Our broad and balanced curriculum offers a vast range of learning opportunities.

Our enrichment programmes are extensive. These complement and extend the academic curriculum and include local and international projects, charity work and a wide range of sporting activities.

Our thriving Sixth Form greatly enhances the character of the school. The high staying-on rate from Year 11 to Year 12 is a testament to the very positive relationships which are established at St. Anthony’s. Our Sixth Form students enjoy a challenging and enriching curriculum which enables the great majority to go on to further study, including obtaining places on highly competitive Oxbridge and Medical courses.

In-Year Admissions (Years 7–11)

Applications for places outside the standard admission round can be made at any time. If places are available, your child will be admitted.

To apply:

Complete Section A of the School Transfer Form.
Submit the form to your daughter’s current school, who will complete Section B.
The completed form should be sent to:
- Sunderland Local Authority – School Admissions Team Neighbourhoods Directorate, City Hall, Plater Way, Sunderland SR1 3AA ? school.admissions@sunderland.gov.uk

If more applications are received than places available, the published oversubscription criteria (outlined in the 2025–2026 admission arrangements) will be applied. Please read these arrangements carefully before applying.

Once your application is received:

Our Governors will decide if a place can be offered.
If no places are available, your child will be added to the waiting list.
You will be notified of the outcome within 15 school days, with a target of 10 school days.

Appeals Process

If your application is unsuccessful, you have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel.

To appeal:

Email admissions@staga.co.uk FAO Claire Donkin (Office Manager) to request the appeal documentation.
Appeals must be lodged within 20 school days of receiving your decision letter.
A reasonable deadline will be set for submitting additional evidence.
You will receive at least 10 school days’ notice of your appeal hearing.
A decision letter will be sent within 5 school days of the hearing (wherever possible

September 2026 Appeals

For September 2026 admissions:

Appeal forms must be requested from admissions@staga.co.uk FAO Claire Donkin.
Completed forms should be returned by Friday 3 April 2026.
Late submissions may be heard after other appeals.

For more details, visit:

Sunderland School Appeals

school.appeals@sunderland.gov.uk

Timeline for Applications
Timeline for Applications w/c Monday 1 September 2025	Information distributed to Y6 pupils by junior/primary schools.
Monday 8 September 2025 to Friday 31 October 2025	Online Portal available up until closing date.
Tuesday 23 September 2025	Open Evening at St Anthony’s with prospective year 7 pupils.
Monday 2 March 2026	National Offer Day. All parents/carers that applied ‘on time’ will be notified where their child has been offered a place and information about any schools on their application where it has not been possible to offer a place.
Friday 20 March 2026	Parents/carers have until this date to accept the places they have been offered. Online offers can be accepted within the Portal up to this date. After the Portal closes, places can only be accepted by email. If paper applications have been submitted, offers will be made by letter and an acceptance form included.
May-2026	Appeals to be heard.
Jun-2026	Appeals to be heard.
Jul-2026	Appeals to be heard.
Thursday 31 December 2025	No waiting list available after this date

Please see our policies page for more information

Considering an All-Girls’ School?

Freedom from Stereotypes Girls are free to explore their strengths without gender-based expectations. At St. Anthony’s, we see balanced success across Arts and Sciences, including Maths, Physics, Sport, and Technology.

Leadership Opportunities Girls’ schools foster confidence in leadership—both in the classroom and on the sports field. Students develop resilience and self-assurance that serve them well in university, careers, and life.

Academic Excellence Research shows that girls often perform better in single-sex schools. We cultivate a culture of achievement and ambition.

Why Choose a Catholic School – Even If You’re Not Catholic?

Our values—respect, hard work, compassion, trust, and fairness—are at the heart of everything we do. These values inspire us to nurture the talents of every pupil and welcome families of all faiths and none.

We promote:

Spiritual, academic, and social growth
Responsibility, resilience, and independence
Creativity and originality
A safe, inclusive, and equal environment

As a faith school, we embrace prayer, reflection, and collective worship—not to impose beliefs, but to build a strong, values-driven community.

Contact Us

For admissions enquiries:

Years 7–11: Mrs Claire Donkin Email: admissions@staga.co.uk
Sixth Form: Mrs Sam Ward (Senior Assistant Headteacher) Email: enquiries@staga.co.uk