Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #31 in Essex public Top 22% UK

The Sandon School

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

personHead not listed

corporate_fareTHE SANDON SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST

location_onChelmsford, CM2 7AQ

language Visit Website phone 1245473611

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,280

trending_up

Attainment 8

46.6

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GCSE Rank

#27 in Essex

#1,437 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Sandon School is a Academy converter secondary school in Chelmsford, serving ages 11-18. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

The Sandon School is an academy converter in Chelmsford, Essex, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE SANDON SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,231 pupils on roll, of whom 17% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.6, placing the school #27 in Essex and #1,437 of 3,216 nationally. 42.30% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 15.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 17 A-level subjects. 37.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 13.5% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.03 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Requires improvement.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.0 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

46.6

Grade 5+ E&M

42.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)15.3%

Entering EBacc24.50%

EBacc APS3.92

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28.10%

EBacc APS4.2

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc31%

EBacc APS3.83

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.08

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc40%

EBacc APS4.51

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc49%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.22

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc46%

EBacc APS4.06

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc51%

EBacc APS4.26

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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

91%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships6%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

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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

+0.03

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*3.2%

Achieving A*–A13.5%

Achieving A*–B37.8%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate95.3%

A-level subjects offered17

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.1

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate98.80%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate97.60%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate98.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

19 March 2024

Inspection Report

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22 March 2018

Inspection Report

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17 December 2013

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-03-19

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

2018-03-22

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-12-17

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2011-03-02

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

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

1.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.4%(17 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 1,231 pupils. During this period, there were 21 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.7%, 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)	1,231	21	1.7%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,236	28	2.3%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,275	34	2.7%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,276	35	2.7%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,274	52	4.1%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,282	36	2.8%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,280	27	2.1%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,281	11	0.9%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,285	10	0.8%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,278	9	0.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,280	7	0.5%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,269	14	1.1%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,272	5	0.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,268	8	0.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,236	3	0.2%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,236	7	0.6%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,236	21	1.7%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,236	15	1.2%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,241	20	1.6%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,243	17	1.4%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,250	8	0.6%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,246	10	0.8%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,257	10	0.8%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,269	12	0.9%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,269	7	0.6%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,274	24	1.9%	3.1%	1

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 34 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 23 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 17 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 15 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 15 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 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.

77.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

83.0%Positive

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

21.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree16%

agree47%

disagree21%

strongly disagree13%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree17%

agree40%

disagree28%

strongly disagree11%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree30%

agree23%

disagree19%

strongly disagree13%

not applicable14%

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

yes30%

no70%

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

strongly agree9%

agree30%

disagree30%

strongly disagree26%

dont know5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree29%

agree37%

disagree22%

strongly disagree4%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree28%

agree43%

disagree19%

strongly disagree6%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree24%

agree43%

disagree21%

strongly disagree9%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree36%

agree55%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree52%

agree43%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree22%

agree42%

disagree18%

strongly disagree6%

don't know12%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes71%

no29%

Top Secondary Schools in Essex

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Outstanding

location_on Chelmsford, CM1 3SX

emoji_events #1 in LA

Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Chelmsford, CM1 1RW

emoji_events #2 in LA

Colchester Royal Grammar School

Inadequate

location_on Colchester, CO3 3ND

emoji_events #3 in LA

Colchester County High School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Colchester, CO3 3US

emoji_events #4 in LA

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

Good

location_on Brentwood, CM14 4EX

emoji_events #5 in LA

Saffron Walden County High School

Outstanding

location_on Saffron Walden, CB11 4UH

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Essex 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 Essex

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Colchester Royal Grammar School

Colchester County High School for Girls

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

Saffron Walden County High School