Sunningdale is a school for pupils with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties. There is also an increasing proportion, year-on-year, of pupils attending the school with autistic spectrum disorder. All pupils have a statement of special educational needs. Pupils attend the school from across the City of Sunderland and a small number of pupils are looked after by the local authority. Most pupils are of White British heritage and almost twice as many boys than girls attend the school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for pupil premium funding is above average. (The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children who are looked after by the local authority). The school manages a portage service and a language and learning partnership on behalf of the local authority. These did not form part of this inspection. Since the last inspection, the school has maintained its range of accreditations.