Belle Vue Primary School, located in Wordsley, Stourbridge, underwent an inspection on September 21 and 22, 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas of strength and areas needing development identified. The quality of education was also rated as requiring improvement, while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as good.
Pupils at Belle Vue Primary School feel safe and enjoy attending school, expressing pride in their environment and the picturesque school grounds. They appreciate the forest school experience and demonstrate politeness and good manners. The school’s behaviour motto, Be ready, be safe, be respectful, is well understood by the students, who exhibit good behaviour and focus during lessons. The atmosphere within the school is calm, and pupils engage positively with one another during playtime. Although instances of bullying are infrequent, pupils report that staff address any issues promptly.
Parents and carers generally express satisfaction with their children's happiness and safety at school. However, there is a notable desire for improved communication from the school to keep them better informed about school activities and developments. School leaders maintain high expectations for staff and students, implementing various changes over the past two years to enhance the school’s performance. Despite these efforts, there remains a need for further improvement in certain areas of the curriculum, with plans already in place for these enhancements.
In subjects such as mathematics and English, school leaders have carefully structured the curriculum, ensuring that the knowledge, skills, and vocabulary required for learning are clearly mapped out. This structured approach has led to good achievement among pupils in these subjects. However, in other areas of the curriculum, the sequencing is less effective, resulting in gaps in pupils' learning and retention of knowledge. Consequently, pupils do not achieve as well as they should in these subjects.
The early years provision is a strength of the school, with nurturing relationships established between staff and children in Nursery and Reception classes. Leaders and staff collaborate closely with families to facilitate a smooth transition for children starting school. The early years curriculum is well-ordered and tailored to children's interests, promoting a love for learning and play. Activities build on prior knowledge, enabling children to achieve well.
Teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge and effectively communicate new concepts to pupils in a structured manner. Ongoing assessment is utilized to gauge pupils' understanding, allowing for timely adjustments to teaching methods when necessary. The emphasis on reading is evident, with a well-implemented English curriculum and regular story times that support the development of reading skills. Staff are well-trained in phonics instruction, and reading materials are appropriately matched to pupils' phonics knowledge.
Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive the same curriculum as their peers, with teachers considering their needs when planning lessons. Additional support is provided through one-to-one or small-group work as required. The school has reintroduced various enrichment activities, including a Year 6 residential visit, which enhances the curriculum and promotes understanding of healthy lifestyles and British values.
School leaders, supported by governors and the local authority, are committed to ongoing improvement. They have redesigned the mathematics and English curriculums, positively impacting pupils' learning. Improvement plans are in place to further enhance the quality of education, and staff report manageable workloads, valuing the support provided by curriculum teams. The open-door policy of leaders fosters a supportive environment where staff feel valued.
The safeguarding arrangements at Belle Vue Primary School are effective, with a strong emphasis on pupil safety. Staff are well-trained to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, ensuring that pupils feel secure and cared for. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in the sequencing of the curriculum in subjects outside of English and mathematics, which needs to be addressed to enhance pupils' overall learning experience. Additionally, communication systems with parents require refinement to ensure they are kept informed and engaged with the school community.