Star Academy, Sandyford, Stoke-on-Trent

Ofsted's report card from its 22 September 2026 inspection grades Star Academy, Sandyford on 7 areas: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders make it clear that coming to school regularly is important."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have built a caring and inclusive school where every child is valued."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders put pupils at the centre of everything they do."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders know their pupils very well and have created a curriculum that supports their wellbeing, personal development and understanding of the world around them."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Leaders have focused on helping pupils build secure foundations in reading, writing and mathematics."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a broad and ambitious curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have created a happy and welcoming start to school life."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff consistently identify and correct errors in letter and number formation so that all pupils develop secure foundational skills"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils consistently have opportunities to connect and apply their knowledge across subjects so that more pupils deepen their understanding of what they have learned".

In 2025, 64% of Year 6 pupils at Star Academy, Sandyford reached the expected standard in reading and 75% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 73% in Stoke-on-Trent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (71% in reading, 71% in maths).

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 6 families put Star Academy, Sandyford as their first choice and 11 named it as one of their preferences, for 12 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Star Academy, Sandyford are Goldenhill Primary Academy (0.3 miles, Good, 97% reading, 90% maths); Summerbank Primary Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 78% reading, 87% maths); St Joseph's Catholic Academy, Goldenhill (0.5 miles, Good, 67% reading, 78% maths); and St Mary's Church of England Primary School (1 mile, Outstanding, 91% reading, 88% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Star Academy, Sandyford.

Star Academy, Sandyford is one of 21 schools run by Academy Transformation Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 60% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

48.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 25.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (50%), Black (16%) and Asian (13%).

In 2026, 34 pupils (26.6%) received SEN support and 6 (4.7%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Kidsgrove Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hollywall Lane (opposite), 350 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Star Academy, Sandyford stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

Star Academy, Sandyford recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Star Academy, Sandyford are St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy (1 mile), Ormiston Horizon Academy (1.1 miles), Co-op Academy Stoke-On-Trent (1.4 miles) and The King's CofE Academy (1.4 miles).