What ages does The Poplars teach?

The Poplars teaches children aged 8 to 18. It is a special school in Houghton le Spring.

Who is the headteacher of The Poplars?

The headteacher of The Poplars is Mr Andrew Elliott, as recorded in the Department for Education's register of schools.

Has The Poplars been inspected?

Ofsted has not inspected The Poplars under its current framework, so no current judgement is shown. That is common for newer schools and is not a mark against a school.

How many pupils are at The Poplars?

The Poplars has 4 pupils on roll, teaching children aged 8 to 18.

The Poplars has capacity for 4 pupils and 4 on roll (100%), so it is at or above its published capacity. Places are allocated through the local authority's admissions process, so capacity alone does not tell you whether a place is available.

Is The Poplars a faith school?

No. The Poplars has no designated religious character.

Does The Poplars publish exam results?

OfferDay shows exam results for a school only where the Department for Education has published them, and none are shown for The Poplars. That is usual for infant, nursery, special and independent schools, and for schools without recent published results.

The Poplars

Miners Lodge, Market Crescent, New Herrington, Houghton le Spring, DH4 7AP

Phase: Special schools
School type: Other independent special school
Ages: 8 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Headteacher: Mr Andrew Elliott
Religious ethos: None
Constituency: Houghton and Sunderland South
Setting: Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Capacity: 4
Pupils on roll: 4
URN: 150515
Local authority: Sunderland
Website: School website
Telephone: 01916941286

About this school

The Poplars is an independent special school in Houghton le Spring. It teaches children aged 8 to 18 and has 4 pupils on roll.

Ofsted has not yet inspected The Poplars under its current framework. Where the Department for Education has published them, its results and pupil characteristics appear below. Seeing a school for yourself shows what no page can, so arrange a visit before you apply.

Ofsted judgement

The Poplars has not been inspected by Ofsted yet. It opened in its current form in March 2024, and new or converted schools usually wait a few years for their first inspection.

School context

From the 2024/25 school census and absence figures.

Free school meals (last 6 years): 0%
Pupils with an EHC plan: 4

Location

Nearby schools

Columbia Grange School
Academies · Washington

2.1 miles
Portland Academy
Academies · Sunderland

2.6 miles
Sunningdale School
Special schools · Sunderland

2.7 miles
The Link School
Local authority maintained schools · Sunderland

2.7 miles
North View Academy
Academies · Sunderland

3.1 miles

Other schools in Houghton le Spring

Hetton Lyons Nursery School Nursery
Houghton Le Spring Nursery School Nursery
Barnwell Academy Primary
Bernard Gilpin Primary School Primary
Bournmoor Primary School Primary
Burnside Academy Inspires Primary
Dubmire Primary Primary
Easington Lane Primary School Primary
East Rainton Primary School Primary
Eppleton Academy Primary School Primary
Gillas Lane Primary Academy Primary
Hetton Lyons Primary School Primary

Common questions

What ages does The Poplars teach?: The Poplars teaches children aged 8 to 18. It is a special school in Houghton le Spring.
Who is the headteacher of The Poplars?: The headteacher of The Poplars is Mr Andrew Elliott, as recorded in the Department for Education's register of schools.
Has The Poplars been inspected?: Ofsted has not inspected The Poplars under its current framework, so no current judgement is shown. That is common for newer schools and is not a mark against a school.
How many pupils are at The Poplars?: The Poplars has 4 pupils on roll, teaching children aged 8 to 18.
Is The Poplars full?: The Poplars has capacity for 4 pupils and 4 on roll (100%), so it is at or above its published capacity. Places are allocated through the local authority's admissions process, so capacity alone does not tell you whether a place is available.
Is The Poplars a faith school?: No. The Poplars has no designated religious character.
Does The Poplars publish exam results?: OfferDay shows exam results for a school only where the Department for Education has published them, and none are shown for The Poplars. That is usual for infant, nursery, special and independent schools, and for schools without recent published results.

School details come from the Department for Education's Get Information About Schools register. Inspection outcomes come from Ofsted, and exam results from the Department for Education's school performance service. This page was last updated on 24 July 2026.