St Swithun's Church of England VC Primary School
Ivel Road, Sandy, SG19 1AXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Swithun's Church of England VC Primary School is a primary school in Sandy for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 134 schools in Central Bedfordshire. It ranks 37th of 47 primary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2017.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 19 January 2017, report published 10 March 2017
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 7 December 2022
Pupils feel happy and well cared for in this inclusive school. They describe it as 'amazing' and 'friendly'. Pupils work hard and get along well together. This supports the school's vision of 'building foundations for the future' successfully. Pupils talk positively about their learning. They try their best to fulfil the high expectations of their teachers. As one pupil said: 'You need to work hard to get things stuck in your brain.' Pupils are polite and well mannered. They follow school routines and conduct themselves well around the school. They know how to behave. They are adamant that bullying is rare in their school. If they have concerns, they share these through 'worry monsters' placed in every class. Pupils believe that adults would act quickly to sort out any problems. Pupils know about the school's values. They reflect on these during weekly assemblies. Pupils understand the importance of these values, such as 'trust' and 'thankfulness'. They help to build pupils' sense of community through working together. Many parents and carers are positive about the school. They speak highly of the nurturing relationships staff have with their children. As one parent commented: 'This school is an absolute gem.'
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, curriculum plans are in the early stages of implementation. Some teachers do not have precise knowledge of what they must teach. This means that some pupils have gaps in their knowledge. Leaders should ensure that all subjects are consistently implemented so that pupils achieve well across the curriculum.
- Some subject leaders who are new to their roles have not fully evaluated the impact of their planned curriculum. This means that they are unsure how well their plans are working, or how well pupils remember important information over time. Leaders should ensure that they check and evaluate the effectiveness of the whole curriculum. They should provide staff with any further training and support to implement leaders' intentions effectively across all subjects.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
26 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
172 pupils on roll, with places for 270
Schools near St Swithun's Church of England VC Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Peel Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 57% met the expected standard |
| Laburnum Primary School | 0.5 miles | Report card: Expected standard | 63% met the expected standard |
| Maple Tree Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 71% met the expected standard |
| John Donne Church of England Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 29% met the expected standard |
| Moggerhanger Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 62% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Anita Whitehurst
- Phone
- 01767680692
- Address
- Ivel Road, Sandy, SG19 1AX
- Local authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- URN
- 109604
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.