Question 1

Is Sands School a good school?

Accepted Answer

Sands School is a very small independent democratic secondary in Ashburton (capacity 84) where students and staff vote together in a weekly School Meeting and learning is built around choice. The 2024 ISI progress monitoring inspection found the school met all the relevant standards checked. GCSE outcomes are reported in FindMySchool rankings, where Sands is ranked 776th in England out of 3,895 schools for academic outcomes.

Question 2

What are the fees at Sands School?

Accepted Answer

For 2025-26, Sands School publishes a termly fee of £4,730 (VAT included) and a £900 returnable deposit payable on admission. The school also publishes optional termly costs for school lunches (£250) and a school bus (£250, subject to availability). Means-tested bursaries are available in a small number of cases and are usually a 10% to 33% fee discount where eligible and subject to budget availability.

Question 3

How do admissions work at Sands School?

Accepted Answer

Admissions are direct to the school. Families typically start with an enquiry, then a visit (tours are led by current students), followed by a five-day Try-Out Week so the student can experience Sands. Offers depend on space, the school’s ability to meet the student’s needs, and the student making an active, informed choice to join.

Question 4

What is a democratic school at Sands?

Accepted Answer

Sands describes itself as a democratic school where students and staff share decision-making through a weekly School Meeting and where students are expected to take responsibility for their choices. It also states there is no uniform and students manage time and lesson choices with support from tutors and staff.

Question 5

What are the GCSE results like at Sands School?

Accepted Answer

In the FindMySchool GCSE academic rankings, Sands School is ranked 776th in England out of 3,895 schools (based on official data). The available GCSE measures include an Attainment 8 score of 14.3, an EBacc average point score of 0.8, and 0% achieving grades 5 or above in the EBacc measure.

Question 6

What time does Sands School start and finish?

Accepted Answer

Sands School states it is open from 8.30am until 5.00pm each day, and that students may use wrap around care hours outside of the teaching timetable for breakfast, independent study, and social time.

Question 7

Does Sands School have open days?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sands publishes open day events and describes open days typically running in the Autumn and Spring. A Spring Open Day is listed for 7 February 2026, with registration available via an online form.

GCSE Performance

Grade Distribution