Sandbach School
Sandbach, CW11 3NS · Cheshire East · secondary school
Check the area around this school
11th of 22 secondary schools in Cheshire East we can score, 23 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 738 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.6/10 among them, against 5.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 41.5 · 41 | 46% | 1.90 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.28 · 71 | 38% | 2.74 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.9 · 49 | 15% | 0.76 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sandbach School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 48.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was +0.28, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.4 out of 10 among them, against 6.7 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
The school offers a Combined Cadet Force.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,534 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,500. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to reach the national median in Attainment 8? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Sandbach School
Overview
Sandbach School provides a high-quality education where pupils are well supported and behave respectfully within a calm, orderly environment. The report highlights that the curriculum is broad and ambitious, with sixth-form provision judged as outstanding due to students’ exceptional preparation for future responsibilities.
Strengths
- Pupils are “kind to each other” and proud to support the school’s “anti-bullying, anti-racist and anti-misogynistic” culture.
- Teachers use “strong subject knowledge” to explain ideas clearly, helping pupils develop a “rich body of knowledge”.
- Sixth-form students are “exceptionally well prepared” for the challenges they may face in the future.
- Staff expertly adapt learning for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who “learn successfully across the curriculum”.
- The school offers a wide range of opportunities, including clubs and careers events, that help pupils “develop and nurture their talents”.
Areas to improve
- In a minority of subjects, teachers do not routinely check for misconceptions, meaning some pupils move on to new learning “before they are ready”.
- Systems to identify gaps in pupils’ reading knowledge are “not as refined as they should be”, preventing some struggling readers from accessing tailored support.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.7 |
| 2024/25 | 48.2 |
| 2025/26 | 45.9 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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