Sandhurst School

Sandhurst School
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED

Welcome
Sandhurst School is a caring, inclusive and well-ordered community in which a positive
and purposeful climate for learning promotes a culture in which success and achievement
are aspirations in which we take pride.
Our aim is to provide all students with the opportunity to succeed and this means that as well
as a strong emphasis on achievement we work hard to encourage and develop the skills and
qualities to help our students be active, accomplished, knowledgeable, caring and self-sufficient
citizens in tomorrow’s ever-changing world.
We do this through a highly regarded pastoral care system in which tutors and Heads of House
work exceptionally hard to nurture and value every student and also in providing an innovative
and personalised curriculum as well as a wealth of additional opportunities delivered by a strong
team of dedicated, well-qualified, warm and caring staff.
A significant strength of the school is the quality of relationships throughout our school
community. We will ensure this continues to develop and flourish whilst striving always for
academic excellence.
We are very proud of our students and our school and warmly invite you to visit us. Please
contact Reception to arrange a visit. Staff and students will show you round and tell you more
about our school.

“The leadership and management of the school
are good. The wider leadership team shares the
headteacher’s ambitious vision for the school.”
OFSTED 2013

Achievement
“Teachers’ subject knowledge is good and they
are adept at using different approaches to make
learning interesting and memorable.” OFSTED 2013

“Literacy is taught well across the curriculum
and is a strength of the school.” OFSTED 2013
We know how important it is for young people to have pride in themselves and a belief
that they can succeed and achieve their best. We have high academic standards and
offer a wide range of courses, delivered by dedicated, knowledgeable and professional
staff whose aim is to make our students learning experience challenging, engaging and enjoyable.
We have a strong focus on the core subjects of English, maths and science but equally value the
creative arts, technologies, languages and humanities. Individuals are given opportunities to
develop skills and aptitudes in a range of subjects and are carefully guided through the options
process. Students know their targets and what they are trying to achieve and in consultation
with subject teachers, parents and tutors strive to get there and are actively involved in their
own tracking, target setting and negotiation.
Homework, at KS3, is issued to provide stretch and challenge and give students meaningful
tasks that will develop them as independent learners and prepare them for the demands of KS4
and 5. Parents can use the well resourced Digital Campus to help them support their sons and
daughters with homework. Communication is crucial and regular reporting and reviews as well
as presentations keep parents informed.

Challenge
“Teachers know their subjects well
and convey high expectations to
their students.” OFSTED 2013
Achievement is so much more than learning in the classroom
and working successfully as part of a team on the sports field
or as part of a drama production is vital preparation for success
in school and the world beyond. Rich and diverse extra-curricular
opportunities enable students to develop their many gifts and talents,
from musical performances, chess and archery to public speaking and
trampolining. We have also established a successful Duke of Edinburgh
Award Scheme and this has enabled youngsters to challenge themselves
by moving beyond their comfort zone and show initiative, resolve and
resilience whilst participating as effective team members and developing
leadership skills.
Anyone who has ever held their breath as their child performed on stage
or in a race or competitive event knows how risk and trying something
new builds character, confidence and self esteem. We endeavour to
give our students the opportunity, not only in the classroom but also in
enrichment activities, to flourish by participating in new experiences and
feel the thrill of success and pride in their own efforts.

“Teachers engage and involve students through
tasks which are challenging and meet their needs.”
OFSTED 2013

“Conversations with students show that they
value the school’s care for their well-being.
They value opportunities to contribute to the
life of the school.” OFSTED 2013

Caring, supporting and
valuing individuals
“Parents agree that the school provides
exceptional support for their children.” OFSTED 2013
In order for students to achieve their best they need to feel safe, secure and confident. Our
pastoral support is a true strength and ensures that excellent relationships are at the heart of
our school. Our highly regarded house system consists of four houses: Bailey, Gemini, Romer
and Young and each is led by an experienced Head of House who works closely with tutors,
supporting the care, guidance and encouragement of individuals in their group.
As well as an established house system, vertical tutor grouping ensures that role models in older
years are able to mentor, guide and care for younger students. All students receive individual
and personalised support from the tutor who is kept informed of the progress of students in the
group through close working with subject teachers.
Daily tutor periods enable all students to start their day in familiar surroundings with their tutor
who is then able to ensure any special support or consideration required on any given day is in
place. Daily assemblies help build a strong house spirit and ensure students are informed and
share in the school’s journey.

Responsibility for
ourselves and others
“The school has very good strategies for encouraging
positive behaviour and respectful relationships.”
OFSTED 2013
At Sandhurst School we are committed to providing our students with the knowledge
and skills to become responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to our
society and the wider world. We aim to promote high standards of political literacy and
to encourage students to become proactive “upstanders” rather than passive bystanders when
faced with the suffering and oppression of their fellow human beings. Our students engage
in a wide range of active citizenship projects which have an impact on the local, national and
international communities.
Within school students are trained to become peer mentors, providing support and advice
to other students and many students make an active contribution to improving the school
environment on the regular weekend “make a difference” days. On an international scale the
school has developed its own charity, Reaching Rwanda, which supports survivors of the
Rwandan genocide. Working together, our students have established a number of successful
businesses in Rwanda and have provided homes, education and clean water facilities for many
genocide orphans. Our key message is “Be the change that you want to see in the world” and
Sandhurst School students certainly rise to this challenge.

“The behaviour of students is good. They show
high levels of maturity both in lessons and
around the school. Students say they feel safe
and the school has robust systems to support
all students.” OFSTED 2013

“The curriculum is broad and balanced and makes
outstanding provision for spiritual, moral, social and
cultural development. There are rich opportunities
both within subjects and through extra-curricular
projects.” OFSTED 2013

Inspire and celebrate
“Students appreciate the range of sporting and
cultural opportunities available to them.” OFSTED 2013
We put great emphasis on rewarding and celebrating success. Our aim is to develop
resilient, confident and motivated individuals who feel able to try new opportunities
and take risks while feeling secure in the knowledge that they will be supported in all
their endeavours. We want to equip our students for independence as well as fostering the desire
for lifelong learning.
We enrich learning by inviting artists, authors and musicians into school to help subjects come
alive for students. We also invite people whose real life struggles against adversity sometimes
shock and often move and motivate our students.
We know the value of reward and recognition, both formal and informal as well as public
and private. Success is celebrated in newsletters and assemblies and by creating leadership
opportunities for prefects and peer mentors. Competition between the houses enables everyone
to participate.
Relationships and good communication are vital because getting to know individuals and giving
them the confidence to break from their comfort zone, whilst ensuring they know they are
important and that what they do matters, will enable our school to continue to flourish.

Moving on
“The outstanding levels of dedication and passion shown
by all staff members to me throughout my seven years
at Sandhurst allowed me to prosper. The high levels of
support and teaching have enabled me to progress
to Higher Education.” SIXTH FORM STUDENT
If asked, most parents want their child to be happy, healthy and able to thrive in tomorrow’s
world. At Sandhurst we recognise that we are an important part of a once in a lifetime
journey through the teenage world of secondary school. We aim to make sure this journey
equips our students for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Our sixth form offers
all our students the opportunity to embark on personalised learning programmes to enable
them to continue their journey into the world of university, work or apprenticeship.
Our small classes enable individuals to be supported to achieve their best and to thrive under
the care and professionalism of our highly knowledgeable staff. It is also important to look
beyond the classroom and to give our students the chance to stand out from the crowd.
As members of a school sixth form our students benefit from opportunities to be role models
and mentors to younger students as well as ambassadors for the school by welcoming and
showing visitors around and hosting presentations to large audiences of parents and invited
guests. Bespoke work experience for some can lead to longer term employment opportunities
and those who lead the Student Council are at the heart of innovation in the school.

“I really enjoyed my time at Sandhurst as everybody
was really friendly and the small class sizes were great.
Studying at Sandhurst Sixth Form was beneficial for me as the
teachers really helped me get good grades to go to university.”
SIXTH FORM STUDENT

Sandhurst School
Owlsmoor Road
Sandhurst
Berkshire
GU47 0SD
Telephone 01344 775678
Fax 01344 771575
We welcome visitors to our school. However, we respectfully
request that appointments are made beforehand.