Sandown School

Sandown is an average school. I will be fair. My child has a few additional needs, nothing major, all managed well and doesn't require an EHCP but the occasional extra support and empathy. Some teacher over their time here have been fantastic but it really has been down to them as individuals that my child and thrived in certain areas. Same to certain support staff. Pastoral care in many areas is top notch, SENCO on the other hand honestly will do just enough to get by and keep her job. How shes still employed is beyond me, brushes issues under the carpet, deters parents from implementing working ideas, dismisses concerns and often mocks concerns. I have felt belittled when expressing concern for my child in certain areas and the headteacher is very much quick to tell you everything is "great" and "fine" and quickly shut down trying to have an indepth conversation. Green Zone and those who run it are wonderful. Almost all the TAs pick up the slack of the empathy baron (certain) teachers. One major issue we had was once reaching year 6 the pressure they put in the children grew considerably, constantly telling students "you won't do that in secondary school" "No you can't cos you dont do that in secondary" let them enjoy their last year of primary...glad my child has left. PTA did a fab job (very heavily leaned on too in my opinion! And underappreciated) and would it kill the head to do a residential like every other school got to enjoy! Facilities leave alot to be desired. A certain male teacher needs an attitude adjustment (and to wear a cycle helmet!) As my children have repeated pointed out to him and he's just laughed at them. And no amount of copy and paste poems from Google sent home in a letter are going to replace the real support the children should receive during exams.

If your child is a neurotypical, high achieving, yes man who thrives on social norms and high speed lessons...maybe this is the school for them!

Didn’t read health and safety sheet and caused toxic poisoning to our child through using the wrong hand sanitiser. Clear as day on page 2 had “NOT TESTED KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN” yet they allowed them to be placed all around the school. Head teacher has said she has no duty of care for the kids.

They Will not help out with bullying incidents even tho half the class is being bullied by the same 2 pupil instead they banned me from the premises and swept the original issue under the carpet!
Took 2 days for an accident report to be given to me after a teacher smashed a ball in out kids face.
One of the reception teachers has to much of an ego and talks to parents like rubbish. Which lead to bigger issues as he was acting like a teenager. Yet again the head teacher didn’t take my complaint seriously and chose to side with the year r teacher.
All has been reported to the head of the governing body and above.

I went here from 2012-2019 and I really enjoyed it! Yes there were a couple teachers who I disliked but on the whole I really enjoyed it! Good lunch food and the green zone area is nice!

I went here from 2012-2019 and I couldn't recommend it enough! The green zone area is amazing, and the canteen meals are nice and nutritious. Some of the classrooms are small, but I think it's a really nice school! I went from not being able to read to getting outstanding reports in just a term, which then madr me excel the Kent test. Recommend to all pupils :) custard is lumpy tho

I went here from 2009-16 and I loved it. The teachers are positive and care. The TAs and Canteen staff seem happy in their jobs and made me breeze through the Kent Test. I would definitely take my children here. Slightly cramped and some parts were a little messy but still a great place. The 'green zone' is great too.