Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #12 in Central Bedfordshire public Top 33% UK

Sandy Secondary School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMiss Karen Hayward

corporate_farePinnacle Trust

location_onSandy, SG19 1BL

language Visit Website phone 1767680598

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2025

groups

Students

1,155

trending_up

Attainment 8

40.8

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GCSE Rank

#12 in Central Bedfordshire

#2,439 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Sandy Secondary School is a Foundation school secondary school in Sandy, serving ages 11-18. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

Sandy Secondary School is a foundation school in Sandy, Central Bedfordshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of Pinnacle Trust. The school has approximately 1,214 pupils on roll, of whom 20% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 40.8, placing the school #12 in Central Bedfordshire and #2,439 of 3,216 nationally. 37.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 10.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 18 A-level subjects. 42.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 16.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.02 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2025. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 14.7:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 3.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

40.8

Grade 5+ E&M

37.00%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)10.5%

Entering EBacc70.10%

EBacc APS3.7

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.24

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc79.10%

EBacc APS4.02

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.08

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc78%

EBacc APS3.82

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.33

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc74%

EBacc APS3.87

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc92%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc83%

EBacc APS4.23

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.36

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc80%

EBacc APS4.18

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.02

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*3.6%

Achieving A*–A16.1%

Achieving A*–B42.0%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate88.6%

A-level subjects offered18

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.23

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate80.00%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate76.00%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

24 June 2025

Inspection Report

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25 January 2023

Inspection Report

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06 December 2017

Inspection Report

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08 July 2014

Inspection Report

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27 March 2014

Inspection Report

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02 October 2013

Inspection Report

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09 May 2013

Inspection Report

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13 February 2013

Inspection Report

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22 March 2011

Inspection Report

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08 March 2010

Inspection Report

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10 November 2008

Inspection Report

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17 October 2006

Inspection Report

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08 October 2001

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

5 Evaluations

2025-06-24

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Not Judged

info

Why no overall grade?

From autumn 2024, Ofsted stopped issuing a single headline grade (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate). Instead, each inspection area is graded individually. This follows a major review after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. The overall effectiveness field is left as "Not judged" in the published data.

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2023-01-25

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Requires improvement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2017-12-06

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2014-07-08

Schools into Special Measures Visit 4 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-02-13

None EIF

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Inadequate

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

3.0%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.0%(24 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,214 pupils. During this period, there were 36 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.0%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,214	36	3.0%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,221	45	3.7%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,161	47	4.0%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,171	47	4.0%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,176	39	3.3%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,145	50	4.4%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,155	45	3.9%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,163	19	1.6%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,122	16	1.4%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,127	18	1.6%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,131	20	1.8%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,002	19	1.9%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,007	7	0.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	998	17	1.7%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	904	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	904	20	2.2%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	901	9	1.0%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	739	17	2.3%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	731	18	2.5%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	731	8	1.1%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	522	12	2.3%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	531	13	2.4%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	538	14	2.6%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	529	4	0.8%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	534	5	0.9%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	539	6	1.1%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 133 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 123 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 60 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 21 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 15 pupils

Hearing Impairment 7 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

72.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

79.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree19%

agree46%

disagree22%

strongly disagree9%

don't know4%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree23%

agree40%

disagree23%

strongly disagree10%

don't know3%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree21%

agree28%

disagree22%

strongly disagree13%

not applicable16%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes37%

no63%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree19%

agree39%

disagree18%

strongly disagree22%

dont know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree36%

agree40%

disagree12%

strongly disagree4%

don't know8%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree26%

agree43%

disagree15%

strongly disagree8%

don't know8%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree19%

agree41%

disagree25%

strongly disagree12%

don't know3%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree37%

agree52%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree39%

agree49%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree17%

agree38%

disagree19%

strongly disagree12%

don't know14%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes69%

no31%

Top Secondary Schools in Central Bedfordshire

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Harlington Upper School

Good

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Houstone School

N/A

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Good

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Good

location_on Shefford, SG17 5QS

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Central Bedfordshire arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Central Bedfordshire

Cedars Upper School

Vandyke Upper School

Harlington Upper School

Houstone School

Priory Academy

Samuel Whitbread Academy