Ridgewood High School, located in Stourbridge, West Midlands, has recently undergone an inspection that resulted in an overall effectiveness rating of good. The inspection took place on July 3 and 4, 2023, and marked a significant improvement from the previous inspection, which rated the school as requiring improvement. The school is characterized by a caring and inclusive environment where leaders are dedicated to providing the best possible education for their pupils. The leadership team has implemented various changes aimed at enhancing the curriculum and behavior management, which have positively impacted the school community.
Pupils at Ridgewood High School report feeling happy and safe, thanks to the strong support systems in place. The relationships between pupils and staff are warm and respectful, contributing to a positive school atmosphere. Leaders have refined their behavior management strategies to ensure consistency across the school, which has led to a reduction in suspensions and improved attendance. Pupils appreciate the efforts made by staff to resolve any issues, including bullying, which is reported to be rare.
The curriculum at Ridgewood is broad and ambitious, with leaders having reviewed and refined it significantly since the last inspection. Most subjects have a well-structured curriculum that identifies key knowledge for pupils to learn, building on prior knowledge effectively. In subjects like history and English, the curriculum incorporates higher-level challenges, although there are areas where further cohesion is needed. Leaders are working towards placing the English Baccalaureate at the heart of the curriculum for key stage four.
While many teachers effectively check pupils' understanding, there are instances where this lacks precision, particularly in subjects where key knowledge is not clearly identified. This can lead to misconceptions that are not addressed, hindering pupils' ability to progress to more challenging work. Leaders recognize the need for improvement in this area and are committed to ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, receive the support they need to succeed.
The school has a robust approach to personal development, linking it to all aspects of school life. The curriculum offers a range of extracurricular activities that cater to various interests, promoting meaningful relationships and tolerance among pupils. The careers program is well-developed, providing pupils with information about further education and training opportunities.
Governance at Ridgewood High School is strong, with trustees actively supporting and challenging school leaders. However, there is an acknowledgment that more incisive checks are needed to ensure that developments are consistently applied across the school. Staff express pride in their school and appreciate the professional development opportunities provided by leaders, who also manage workload effectively.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a strong culture of vigilance and appropriate training for staff. Leaders are well-informed about local safeguarding risks and work closely with agencies to address them. Pupils receive education on important safeguarding topics, including online safety.
To further improve, leaders need to ensure that the knowledge pupils are expected to learn is clearly identified and sequenced across all subjects. Consistent use of assessment to check pupils' understanding is also necessary to build on prior knowledge effectively. Additionally, leaders should implement systematic checks on recent developments in the curriculum and behavior management to ensure best practices are consistently applied throughout the school.
