| Head label | Principal |
|---|---|
| Head | Karen Hayward[1] |
| Address | Engayne Avenue |
| City | Sandy |
| County | Bedfordshire |
| Country | England |
| Postal code | SG19 1BL |
| Ofsted | no |
| Urn | 109669 |
| Enrolment | 1009 (As of 2024)[1] |
| Capacity | 1155 (As of 2024)[1] |
| Gender | Co-educational[1] |
| Lower age | 11 |
| Upper age | 18[1] |
| Website | www.sandysecondaryschool.com |
Sandy Secondary School (formerly Sandy Upper School) is a coeducational secondary school, located in Sandy, Bedfordshire, England.[2]
The school educates 11–16 year-olds, mainly from the town of Sandy, Great Barford, Potton and the surrounding villages. In addition, the school offers further education for 16–18 year-olds through its sixth form department.[3]
History
Previously an upper school educating pupils from the age of 13, in September 2018 Sandy became a secondary school educating pupils from the age of 11.
The school was designated as a Sports College in 2003. As a result of this, the school improved its sporting facilities and hired specialised sports teaching staff.[4]
Preparations for the planned academy conversion were controversial with pupils and students, including a requirement for year 10 students to drop one of their GCSE courses.[5] The move to academy status was cancelled after financial irregularities were uncovered at the Barnfield Federation.[6]
In January 2013 the Governing Body of Sandy Secondary School voted not to enter into advanced negotiations with the Barnfield Federation, with the intention of Sandy Secondary School becoming a sponsored academy.[7]
Academic performance and inspections
The school received an 'Inadequate' inspection rating from Ofsted at the start of 2013 where the school was subsequently put in special measures.[8]
As of 2024, the school's most recent inspection was in January 2023, with an outcome of Requires Improvement.[9]
In 2023, the school's Progress 8 benchmark at GCSE was average.[10] The proportion of children achieving grade 5 or above in English and mathematics GCSE was 34%, lower than the overall figure for the local authority and the England figure.[10] The figure for children entering the English Baccalaureate in 2023 was 78%, higher than the overall figure for the local authority and the England figure.[10]
The average score at A-level in 2023 was C, compared to B− in the local authority as a whole and B in England.[11]
References
- ^ "Sandy Secondary School - GOV.UK"
- ^ [1] Ofsted Sandy Upper School
- ^ [2] Newspaper report on Status as member of Barnfield Federation
- ^ "Sports Specialist Status". Archived from the original on 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-01-20. Sandy Upper School Sports Specialist Status
- ^ "Sandy Upper School in chaos over last minute takeover". Bedfordshire News
- ^ [3] theadvertisergroup.co.uk : Ministers have ordered a school to cut its links to the Barnfield Federation
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2013-01-20. Sandy Upper School Press Release
- ^ "Sandy Upper School OFSTED Report, February 2013"
- ^ Loneragan, Damian (2023). "Inspection of Sandy Secondary School". Ofsted. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Sandy Secondary School". Compare school and college performance in England. Gov.UK. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Sandy Secondary School". Compare school and college performance in England. Gov.UK. Retrieved 15 January 2024.