The Sandon School
Chelmsford, CM2 7AQ · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
57th of 78 secondary schools in Essex we can score, 81 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 765 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.7/10 among them, against 4.5/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 37.7 · 32 | 30% | 0.95 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.15 · 60 | 25% | 1.51 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.5 · 47 | 10% | 0.47 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Sandon School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.15 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school "Requires improvement" in June 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.4 out of 10 among them, against 5.3 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Tech Club, play football, futsal, netball, rugby, cross country, gymnastics, trampoline, or table tennis, and attend sport-specific or multi-sport trips.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,218 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,253. 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 improve attainment relative to their starting points? What specific actions are being taken to address the "Requires improvement" rating?
What Ofsted said about The Sandon School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils are enthusiastic, behave well, and feel safe, with strong personal development and leadership opportunities. However, overall effectiveness requires improvement because teaching does not sufficiently adapt to meet the needs of all pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and leaders do not effectively monitor the impact of their work.
Strengths
- Pupils are "enthusiastic about their role in improving the world" and "comfortable being themselves," embracing the uniqueness of others.
- Behaviour is "sensible and positive," with the school successfully reducing suspensions through new management approaches.
- The school has "clear systems in place" to monitor attendance, securing high levels for most pupils and celebrating good attendance.
- Personal development is a strength, with pupils learning about career choices, respect, and safety at a "time they find useful."
- Staff feel supported by leaders regarding workload and behaviour, and governors "understand the school well."
Areas to improve
- Teachers must adapt their teaching to ensure pupils with SEND can access the same curriculum as their peers, as they currently "do not achieve as well as they should."
- Staff need routines to check that all pupils are learning, as "misconceptions and misunderstandings are overlooked or remain unnoticed for too long."
- Leaders must review information more effectively to provide "helpful and timely analysis of the impact of the school’s work."
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 | 49.3 |
| 2024/25 | 46.6 |
| 2025/26 | 45.5 |
| 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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