Sandy Hill Academy
St Austell, PL25 3AT · Cornwall · primary school
Check the area around this school
17th of 218 primary schools in Cornwall we can score, 236 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 6.7/10 against 3,623 of them, against 6.3/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 72.0 · 71 | 40% | 2.83 |
| Ofsted | 96 | 35% | 3.37 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sandy Hill Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 72.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with a national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0%, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in March 2023. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (6.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 455 pupils against a stated capacity of 252. 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 manage class sizes when operating significantly above its designated capacity? What specific support structures are in place for pupils who do not reach the expected standard? How does the current staffing level accommodate the high pupil-to-place ratio?
What Ofsted said about Sandy Hill Academy
Overview
Sandy Hill Academy continues to be an outstanding school, where pupils and staff fully embrace the motto ‘Aspiring to achieve, determined to succeed’. Leaders ensure that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve extremely well within a broad and rich curriculum. The school fosters strong relationships, excellent behaviour, and a deep sense of moral purpose among its community.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘coherent and well sequenced’, with leaders precisely identifying knowledge goals so that ‘pupils’ learning builds very well over time’.
- Early reading is a ‘significant strength’, with highly trained staff delivering an effective phonics programme that helps children quickly become ‘confident and fluent readers’.
- Mathematics teaching is ‘highly effective’, particularly in the early years where structured activities develop curiosity, confidence, and ‘mathematical fluency’.
- Staff use assessment ‘highly effectively’ to identify misconceptions, ensuring all pupils, including disadvantaged and SEND pupils, are supported to ‘achieve their very best outcomes’.
- Pupils demonstrate ‘excellent’ behaviour, showing strong respect for others and feeling protected from bullying, while character development is ‘thoughtfully woven through the curriculum’.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and leaders diligently recording and following up concerns to ensure timely help is sought.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 71% |
| 2024/25 | 72% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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