Brownhill School, located in Rochdale, Lancashire, underwent an inspection on September 19 and 20, 2023, and received an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, and leadership and management were also rated as Requires Improvement, while personal development was rated as Good. This inspection marked a significant change from the previous inspection in January 2017, where the school was rated as Good.
The school environment is characterized by a strong sense of care and support for pupils. They are welcomed warmly each morning, and staff prioritize their emotional well-being, fostering trust and positive relationships. Pupils benefit from small group learning tailored to their individual educational needs, with a focus on personal development and mental health. The school provides various extracurricular opportunities, including outdoor activities and visits to local attractions, which contribute to the social and emotional growth of the students.
Despite the high expectations set by the school, pupils do not consistently achieve well across all subjects. The implementation of a new curriculum has led to uneven learning experiences, although pupils are responding positively to the changes. The new behavior management approach has resulted in improved behavior, with pupils motivated by a reward system.
The school has made strides in partnership with the local authority to enhance the curriculum and overall school life. Key stages one, two, and three have seen a complete overhaul of the curriculum, which now emphasizes the knowledge pupils should acquire and when. However, the school is still in the early stages of implementing this new curriculum, leading to inconsistencies in staff preparedness to deliver content effectively. Consequently, some pupils struggle to build their knowledge over time, and assessment practices to identify learning gaps are underdeveloped.
In key stage four, the curriculum lacks breadth and ambition, limiting opportunities for some pupils to engage in vocational and technical courses. This has resulted in uneven achievement levels among pupils in this stage. While there is a strong emphasis on reading, with daily phonics sessions in primary and targeted support in secondary, attendance remains a concern, particularly in key stage four, where it has historically been low.
Pupils are educated about democracy, equality, and online safety, which helps them develop a sense of responsibility and awareness of their rights. The school’s welfare team actively engages with families, fostering strong home-school relationships through initiatives like a parents’ forum and community events.
Governance has been effective, with governors working diligently to support the school’s improvement efforts. Staff express overwhelming support for the positive changes implemented over the past year, feeling valued and supported by leadership. The improvements in curriculum structure have alleviated some workload pressures for teachers, who are invested in the school’s vision for continued progress.
The safeguarding arrangements at Brownhill School are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils. However, to improve further, the school must broaden the curriculum in key stage four, ensure consistent implementation of all subject curriculums, enhance assessment strategies to identify learning gaps, and address attendance issues in key stage four. The school is committed to making these improvements to better support its pupils and enhance their educational experience.
