Sandy Secondary School is a successful, fully inclusive secondary school at the heart of its community. We pride ourselves on providing an engaging and supportive environment in which our students feel empowered to reach and embrace their full potential with confidence.

​

We encourage our students to be:

​

• Aspirational and Self-motivated

• Competitive and Driven

• Courteous and Compassionate

• Positive and Resilient

• Trustworthy and Honourable

• Develop the confidence, skills and attitudes necessary for economic wellbeing

• Understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and the importance of making a positive contribution to society

• Develop moral awareness, cultural understanding and an appreciation of diversity.

​

Our staff are committed to nurturing the abilities of every child with a curriculum which recognises the distinct uniqueness of our students. The opportunities we provide allow all students to showcase their talents, whether through the traditional school day, or as a result of the wealth of extra-curricular activities that we provide. We are extremely proud of the achievements of all our students, which are a result of the high expectations of behaviour, teaching and learning, and the strong, supportive relationships that exist between staff, students and their parents/guardians. Furthermore, in order to develop the importance of independent learning and resilience, our students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning both in and out of lessons, using our online learning platform of Edulink One.

​

We recognise the importance of student support, ensuring all students have access to a committed team of pastoral staff. The team work tirelessly to maintain student well-being, so that all students develop the confidence and resilience to make the most of their time with us and achieve a successful outcome, along with the ability to make healthy choices in and outside of school.

​

We work hard to encourage and enable parental involvement in their child’s learning and we pride ourselves on the strong partnerships between students, staff, parents and guardians. Such partnerships enable us to understand and support our students and allow you, as guardians of your child’s future, a greater involvement at this pivotal stage of their lives and their education.

​

Teaching and Learning

​

• We have the highest aspirations for all students and the utmost belief in each individual

• We deliver a rich and diverse curriculum, rooted in the needs of our students

• We strive to remove all barriers to learning and refuse to allow disability or social disadvantage to limit our expectations, or the achievements of our students

• We inspire our students through excellent teaching

• We value the expertise of our subject specialists, entrusting them to hone students’ skills and to ensure access to powerful knowledge

• We access technology for optimum impact

• Our teaching is underpinned by meaningful data and rigorous, accurate assessment

• We work together, across departments and the Federation, sharing good practice to enhance performance and relationships.

​

Our Students

​

• Our students enjoy school. They actively engage in their learning, inspired by excellent teaching and a sense of shared purpose

• Our students are confident learners; they build self-esteem and are willing to challenge themselves, take risks and learn from mistakes

• Our students reach standards of attainment which reflect their full academic potential

• We foster imagination, adaptability, resilience and ambition

• We create opportunities for every student to build independence, teamwork and leadership

• Students treat each other and staff with respect and consideration

• Positive behaviour is an inherent expectation.

​

Leadership

​

• Our leadership teams guide the school with vision and discernment

• All leaders are role models: they act with integrity, are highly visible, and are approachable by all

• Achievement, along with teaching and learning, is at the heart of all decision-making

• We believe in devolved leadership; middle leaders are highly trusted and empowered to have impact

• All staff have opportunities to contribute their expertise to strategic school decisions

• Communication across the school is direct and timely.

• Our leaders know the staff, communicate how much they are valued, and seek to sustain their wellbeing.

​

Parents/Guardians

​

• We seek to engage with all parents/guardians in relationships based on mutual trust and respect

• We believe in frequent and open communication, aiming to work with parents/guardians to maximise each student’s school experience

• We have policies that are clear and easily understood, encouraging parental engagement and support

• We maximise the use of technology to ensure full and swift communication

​

​