Robert Sandilands Primary School and Nursery Review 2026: High-Achieving Community in the Heart of Speen

Robert Sandilands Primary School and Nursery occupies a pleasant site in Speen, a residential suburb of Newbury that retains its own distinct village identity. Serving approximately 240 pupils, including those in the integrated nursery, the school provides a stable, smaller-than-average environment where every child is known. Academic performance is a significant draw here; the 2024 Key Stage 2 results place the school among the top 10% of primary schools in England.

The leadership team, led by Headteacher Mrs Libby Bucknell since 2017, has maintained a focus on balancing this academic rigour with a broad, inclusive atmosphere. The school's physical layout, featuring separate wings for different key stages and a dedicated early years area, allows for a sense of progression as pupils move through the year groups.

The atmosphere at Robert Sandilands is one of quiet, focused energy. While the buildings themselves are functional and well-maintained, the interior spaces are brought to life by displays of pupil work and a clear emphasis on the school's core values. The school serves a diverse local population and takes pride in being an inclusive community where children from various backgrounds are supported to thrive.

The school operates as a single-form entry institution for the most part, though its capacity allows for some flexibility. This smaller scale fosters a close-knit environment where older pupils often take on leadership roles, such as buddies for the younger children in the nursery and reception. The latest Ofsted monitoring and inspections, including a visit in March 2025, confirm that the school remains a Good provider, with a culture of high expectations and effective safeguarding that provides a secure foundation for learning.

The 2024 academic data tells a compelling story of achievement. An impressive 89% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, significantly outperforming the England average of 62%. This high level of attainment is not limited to the expected standards; 43% of pupils achieved the higher standard (greater depth) across all three core subjects, compared to an England average of just 8%.

Robert Sandilands Primary School and Nursery ranks 454th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and holds the 3rd position among primary schools in the Newbury area. These metrics place the school in the national high tier, outperforming 90% of schools in England (top 10%). Specific subject strengths are evident in Mathematics, where the average scaled score of 110 exceeds the national benchmark, and Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling, where 84% of pupils reached a high score.

The curriculum is structured to ensure that pupils develop deep insights into their subjects rather than just skimming the surface. In the early years, the focus is on communication, language, and personal development, providing a smooth transition from the nursery into formal schooling. As pupils progress into Key Stage 1 and 2, the school employs a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles, with a particular emphasis on developing strong literacy and numeracy skills.

The school makes effective use of its outdoor spaces for learning, including a dedicated forest school area that supports environmental education and personal resilience. Technology is integrated into the classroom through the use of tablets and interactive screens, ensuring pupils are digitally literate from a young age.

Nursery Provision

The integrated nursery provision at Robert Sandilands is a core part of the school's identity, welcoming children from the age of three. The nursery environment is designed to be a bridge between home and school, focusing on play-based learning that aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Practitioners work closely with the Reception teachers to ensure that the transition into the main school is seamless, with many nursery pupils continuing their education at Robert Sandilands.

For nursery fee details, visit the school website. Government-funded hours are available for eligible families; see our guide to nursery funding for more information. The nursery operates with a high staff-to-pupil ratio, ensuring that the youngest learners receive the individual attention they need to develop their social and emotional skills.

Pastoral care is a visible strength, with a dedicated team of staff who monitor the wellbeing of every pupil. The school uses a variety of support systems, including ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants), to help children manage their emotions and build self-esteem. The small size of the school means that staff are quick to identify any changes in a child's behaviour or happiness.

Behaviour is consistently good, underpinned by a clear reward system and a focus on mutual respect. The school's approach to Special Educational Needs (SEN) is inclusive, with the SENCO working closely with class teachers to provide tailored support and interventions where necessary.

Extracurricular life at Robert Sandilands is designed to uncover hidden talents and provide pupils with a broad range of experiences. The school offers a variety of clubs, including the School Council, various sports teams, and creative arts sessions. A particular highlight for many is the "Sandilands Singers" choir and the opportunity to participate in local music festivals.

The school's STEM excellence is supported by participation in local science challenges and a popular Coding Club that uses Meccatronix and Lego Robotics to bring engineering concepts to life. Annual residential trips for older pupils, such as the Year 6 visit to a dedicated outdoor activity centre, help to build independence and teamwork before the move to secondary school.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded community school, Robert Sandilands Primary School and Nursery does not charge tuition fees for its primary phase. Parents should be aware that some optional extras, such as certain extracurricular clubs, music tuition from the Berkshire Music Trust, or school trips, may carry a charge.

Financial aid is primarily focused on the Pupil Premium, which provides additional funding for children who are eligible for free school meals or who are in the care of the local authority. This funding is used by the school to provide targeted academic support, subsidise trip costs, and ensure all pupils can fully participate in school life.

Securing a place at Robert Sandilands is a competitive process. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 77 applications for just 28 offers. This results in a subscription proportion of 2.75 applications for every place, reflecting its high local reputation.

Admissions are coordinated by West Berkshire Council. Parents interested in the school should note that while it is a community school, its popularity means that living within the immediate Speen and North Newbury area is often necessary to secure a place under the distance criteria. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates.

The majority of pupils at Robert Sandilands progress to local secondary schools in the Newbury area, most notably Trinity School and Park House School. A smaller number of pupils successfully sit the 11-plus for selective grammar schools in neighbouring authorities or transition to independent senior schools. The school provides a robust transition programme in Year 6, including visits to secondary sites and meetings between Year 6 and Year 7 coordinators to ensure a smooth academic and social handover.

The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. For families requiring extended care, the school offers a Breakfast Club starting at 7:45am and an After School Club that runs until 6:00pm, though places must be booked in advance. The school is located on Digby Road, with limited on-site parking; most families walk or use local bus routes that serve the Speen area.

• Oversubscription: With nearly three applications for every place, Robert Sandilands is consistently at capacity. Families living outside the immediate Speen area may find it difficult to secure a place in the main intake.
• Small School Dynamics: While the single-form entry creates a family feel, it also means smaller peer groups. This suits most children brilliantly, but those seeking a larger, more bustling environment might prefer a larger primary.
• Nursery to Reception Transition: While nursery pupils are well-prepared for the main school, a place in the nursery does not guarantee a place in the Reception class, as admissions for the primary phase follow the local authority criteria.

Robert Sandilands Primary School and Nursery is an academic powerhouse that manages to maintain the warm, personal feel of a village school. Its exceptional results in 2024, particularly the high percentage of pupils reaching the higher standard, demonstrate a teaching team that knows how to stretch and challenge. Best suited to local families who value a small, high-achieving community and want a seamless educational journey from age three through to eleven.