Hill West Primary School, located in Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, received a Good rating in its recent inspection conducted on March 9 and 10, 2022. The school has demonstrated effectiveness in various areas, including the quality of education, personal development, leadership, and management, all rated as good. However, the behavior and attitudes of pupils require improvement. The school’s vision encourages pupils to be ambitious, curious, and respectful, and while most pupils embody these values, a recent change in the behavior policy has led to some challenges in maintaining consistent behavior across the school.
Pupils express a strong understanding of modern British values, discussing diversity and respect for others. They take pride in their roles within the school community, such as librarians and house captains, and aspire to higher education. The school environment is generally safe, with pupils aware of bullying and confident that issues are addressed. However, there are variations in comfort levels when approaching staff about concerns.
The school has successfully revised its curriculum, particularly in subjects like mathematics, physical education, and French, providing teachers with structured plans and training to enhance pupils' learning. The changes in the PE curriculum have been particularly effective, ensuring that pupils grasp essential skills and knowledge. Leaders are committed to ensuring all pupils succeed, utilizing assessments to tailor learning experiences. Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is generally effective, although some pupils may require additional strategies to engage them fully in their learning.
Reading is a notable strength of the school, with a new phonics scheme in place that has proven effective. Pupils are mastering reading fundamentals quickly, and older students reflect positively on their reading experiences. The early years curriculum is well-structured, emphasizing communication and vocabulary development, which lays a strong foundation for future learning.
Personal development is integrated throughout the curriculum, with pupils learning about safety in various contexts, including online interactions. They participate in a range of extracurricular activities that promote physical and mental well-being. However, concerns have been raised by parents and pupils regarding behavior in classrooms and during playtime. The new behavior policy, implemented in September 2021, is beginning to show positive effects, but not all pupils consistently adhere to expected behaviors, which can disrupt learning.
The safeguarding measures in place are effective, with staff trained to recognize and report concerns. Leaders are knowledgeable about their families, allowing them to provide tailored support to ensure pupil safety and attendance.
To improve, the school needs to enhance the planning and sequencing of its curriculum in certain subjects, ensuring clarity on what content should be taught and in what order. Consistency in behavior management is essential, with all staff needing to uphold high expectations. Additionally, while the needs of pupils with special educational needs are generally met, there is a need for a better balance between addressing their social and emotional needs and their academic development. Overall, the school is on a positive trajectory, with leaders actively working to address areas for improvement while maintaining a strong foundation in education and personal development.
