Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #12 in Cheshire East public Top 19% UK

Sandbach School

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

personMrs Sarah Burns

corporate_fareSANDBACH SCHOOL

location_onSandbach, CW11 3NS

language Visit Website phone 1270758870

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2025

groups

Students

1,504

trending_up

Attainment 8

48.2

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#10 in Cheshire East

#1,185 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Sandbach School is a Free schools secondary school in Sandbach, serving ages 11-19. Rated Good by Ofsted.

article

School Summary

Sandbach School is a free schools in Sandbach, Cheshire East, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of SANDBACH SCHOOL. The school has approximately 1,499 pupils on roll, of whom 15% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 48.2, placing the school #10 in Cheshire East and #1,185 of 3,216 nationally. 49.60% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 17.2% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 24 A-level subjects. 45.7% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 18.7% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.04 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2025. The school's current overall rating is Good. 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 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.7 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

48.2

Grade 5+ E&M

49.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)17.2%

Entering EBacc17.20%

EBacc APS4

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.28

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11.00%

EBacc APS3.93

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.03

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS4.10

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc20%

EBacc APS4.13

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc30%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19%

EBacc APS4.2

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12%

EBacc APS4.12

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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

97%

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

Apprenticeships6%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

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

+0.04

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

105

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.6%

Achieving A*–A18.7%

Achieving A*–B45.7%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate1.9%

A-level subjects offered24

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.22

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

130

Retention rate88.50%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

100

Retention rate92.00%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

18 March 2025

Inspection Report

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27 June 2023

Inspection Report

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10 July 2018

Inspection Report

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18 November 2014

Inspection Report

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22 March 2013

Inspection Report

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22 January 2013

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2025-03-18

S5 Inspection 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

2018-07-10

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2014-11-18

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-01-22

None EIF

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

5.3%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.1%(46 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

2pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,499 pupils. During this period, there were 80 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 5.3%, 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)	1,499	80	5.3%	7.3%	2
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,505	60	4.0%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,500	50	3.3%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,507	41	2.7%	7.1%	2
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,509	83	5.5%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,504	29	1.9%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,504	39	2.6%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,523	38	2.5%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,485	31	2.1%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,495	28	1.9%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,499	40	2.7%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,401	17	1.2%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,412	8	0.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,409	22	1.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,343	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,343	22	1.6%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,350	25	1.9%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,265	32	2.5%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,278	28	2.2%	3.8%	2
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,279	30	2.3%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,256	12	1.0%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,258	11	0.9%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,261	18	1.4%	3.7%	2
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,254	20	1.6%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,252	9	0.7%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,257	8	0.6%	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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psychology_alt

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 60 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 34 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 27 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 22 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 21 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 9 pupils

Profound & Multiple Learning 8 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

84.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

85.0%Positive

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

13.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree27%

agree51%

disagree11%

strongly disagree8%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree19%

agree49%

disagree23%

strongly disagree6%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree31%

agree21%

disagree12%

strongly disagree8%

don't know2%

not applicable26%

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

yes16%

no84%

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

strongly agree15%

agree40%

disagree25%

strongly disagree20%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree49%

agree35%

disagree10%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree47%

agree42%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree39%

agree41%

disagree17%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree61%

agree33%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree71%

agree23%

disagree6%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree45%

agree29%

disagree13%

strongly disagree5%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes83%

no17%

Top Secondary Schools in Cheshire East

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College

Good

location_on Sandbach, CW11 3NT

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Knutsford Academy

Good

location_on Knutsford, WA16 0EA

emoji_events #2 in LA

Poynton High School

Good

location_on Stockport, SK12 1PU

emoji_events #3 in LA

The Fallibroome Academy

Good

location_on Macclesfield, SK10 4AF

emoji_events #4 in LA

Alsager School

Good

location_on Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 2HR

emoji_events #5 in LA

Wilmslow High School

Good

location_on Wilmslow, SK9 1LZ

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Cheshire East 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 Cheshire East

Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College

Knutsford Academy

Poynton High School

The Fallibroome Academy

Alsager School

Wilmslow High School