Millbrook Combined School, located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, underwent an inspection on May 23 and 24, 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas such as the quality of education also receiving a similar rating. However, the school demonstrated strengths in behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision, all of which were rated as good.
Pupils at Millbrook express pride in attending the school, which is characterized by a caring and inclusive environment. They feel safe and enjoy positive relationships with peers and staff. The school promotes respect and kindness, encouraging pupils to accept each other's differences. While bullying is taken seriously and managed effectively, there are noted gaps in pupils' academic knowledge, which affects their preparedness for future learning stages.
Parents generally express satisfaction with the school, appreciating the support provided by leaders and staff. The school has experienced a period of high staff turnover and changes in governance, but leaders have worked to stabilize the environment. They have made significant improvements, particularly in the early years curriculum and reading instruction. The curriculum in English and mathematics has been prioritized, and recent enhancements in writing instruction have been noted.
Despite these improvements, the curriculum in several other subjects is not yet effective enough, leading to insufficient learning outcomes for pupils. For instance, while pupils engage in enjoyable science experiments and creative art projects, they often do not retain the essential knowledge intended by teachers. There is a need for better assessment practices to ensure that pupils' understanding is checked before progressing to new material.
The school prides itself on its inclusive ethos, welcoming all pupils, including those from diverse backgrounds such as asylum seekers and refugees. Leaders are adept at identifying special educational needs and ensuring that all pupils receive the necessary support to learn alongside their peers. The phonics program introduced recently has been well-received, contributing to improved reading fluency and confidence among pupils.
Attendance rates are gradually improving due to effective support for pupils who struggle to attend regularly. However, strategies to help these pupils catch up on missed learning in core subjects like English and mathematics are still in the early stages, resulting in some pupils not achieving their full potential.
Pupils exhibit positive behavior and attitudes, quickly adapting to routines and learning to cooperate with others. They demonstrate a strong sense of tolerance and fairness, understanding the importance of these values in society. The curriculum supports discussions about various cultures and religions, fostering respect and empathy among pupils. Pastoral support is a notable strength, helping pupils manage their emotions effectively.
Leaders are mindful of staff workload and well-being while remaining committed to ongoing improvements. The governing body provides balanced support and challenge to school leaders, with many governors being new yet reflective and knowledgeable. Leaders acknowledge the need for further enhancements in the quality of education and have appropriate plans in place to address these areas.
The safeguarding arrangements at Millbrook are effective, with a strong culture of safeguarding evident throughout the school. Staff are well-trained to recognize signs of harm and report concerns promptly. Leaders maintain strong relationships with pupils and their families, understanding the community's specific needs and risks. Overall, while the school has made commendable strides, there are clear areas for improvement to ensure that all pupils achieve their best academically and personally.
