Sandon Junior Mixed and Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 March 2026

Pupils treasure their small village school, which sits at the heart of a close-knit community. They enjoy coming to school regularly because staff greet them warmly each morning. Staff take time to build positive relationships. This supports pupils’ sense of safety and belonging. Bullying is rare and staff sort out any issues that pupils may have promptly. Staff explore different behaviours with pupils so that they learn how their actions affect others. Most pupils behave well in lessons and stay focused on their work. They follow the teacher’s directions and try hard to meet expectations. During playtimes, pupils of all ages mix confidently. Some pupils use a role-play area to develop storytelling and explore ideas. Older pupils lead activities in this space, and younger children benefit from their encouragement. Across most subjects, sometimes, the teaching does not help pupils to learn and apply knowledge. The strategies to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are not as effective as they should be in helping them to overcome barriers to learning. As a result, pupils’ achievement over time is inconsistent. Leaders ensure that pupils have access to a wide range of opportunities that broaden their experience beyond the classroom. Pupils take part in sporting events, such as handball. They enjoy annual theatre visits and learn how to stay safe on their bikes through sessions with the local police force. The school plays a central role within the community. For example, pupils hosted a coffee and cake morning for local residents. They invite local families to see how they learn in their outdoor area. These experiences strengthen pupils’ understanding of community life and help to enhance their sense of belonging.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that staff have a shared understanding of the school’s curriculum and the approaches to deliver it as effectively as they intend.
• Leaders should ensure that staff make effective use of assessment strategies to identify and address any gaps in pupils’ learning to enable them to learn the curriculum content as fully as intended.
• Leaders should ensure that guidance and individual plans to support pupils to overcome barriers to their learning are carefully followed and reviewed to ensure that pupils' learning is supported appropriately and moved on swiftly.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)