SchoolScoresThe Sandon School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of THE SANDON SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST
Molrams Lane, Sandon, Chelmsford, CM2 7AQ
01245 473611 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 19 March 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
188 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Chelmsford comparisons use the 5 of its 11 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 6 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Chelmsford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chelmsford. Higher than 35% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 78% | 88% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chelmsford. Higher than 40% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 90% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chelmsford. Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 82% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 88 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chelmsford. Higher than 37% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 45% | 52% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 161 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chelmsford. Higher than 33% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 73% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chelmsford. Higher than 32% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71%said yes | 84% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Chelmsford figures pool parents at the Chelmsford schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
208 pupils in this year group.
42% — about the same as the Essex average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 42% | 43% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 46.6 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
213 pupils in this year group.
91% — about the same as the Essex average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 40% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 4% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 42% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 91% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
92 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 14% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 38% | 54% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 30.5 | 34.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
17 subjects, 222 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 35 | 0% | 3% | 19% |
| Chemistry | 25 | 4% | 8% | 30% |
| Biology | 21 | 0% | 19% | 27% |
| History | 20 | 0% | 5% | 23% |
| Economics | 19 | 0% | 26% | 26% |
| Law | 18 | 6% | 6% | 17% |
| Mathematics | 15 | 7% | 33% | 40% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 11 | 27% | 27% | 26% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 10 | 10% | 20% | 38% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 8 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Geography | 7 | 0% | 29% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 7 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Physics | 7 | 0% | 29% | 31% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 6 | 0% | 17% | 24% |
| English Literature | 6 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Spanish, Mathematics (Further).
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
97 students in this year group.
94% — 13 points above the Essex average, and 15 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 94% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 13% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 24% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 94% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
113 students in this year group.
67% — 13 points above the Essex average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 67% | 54% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 14% | 15% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 68% | 67% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Essex. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 213 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 164 |
| Of those, offered a place | 164 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 708 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8% | 22.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Higher than 23% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.9% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Higher than 11% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.7% | 9.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Lower than 39% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Lower than 49% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.7% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.7 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Lower than 84% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.08% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 9th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Higher than 52% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.9 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Higher than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7 | 12.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Chelmsford. Higher than 49% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 13.0% | 13.3%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Great Baddow High School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- Moulsham High School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), improved significantly 2024 · 66% grade 5+ English and maths
- Chelmsford Hospital School 2.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024)
- The Boswells School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 exceptional, 5 strong · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- Chelmsford County High School for Girls 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 99% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Sandon School's Ofsted rating?
The Sandon School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 March 2024.
How did The Sandon School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 42% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Sandon School?
71% of the 188 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend The Sandon School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Sandon School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 164 families put The Sandon School as their first choice for 213 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 164 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137240.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.