Church Hill Middle School, located in Redditch, Worcestershire, is recognized as a good school following its inspection on June 18 and 19, 2024. The school operates under the leadership of Executive Principal Angela Crawley and is part of the Central Region Schools Trust, which oversees its administration. The trust is led by CEO Guy Shears and a board of trustees co-chaired by Elizabeth Keates and Orla MacSherry.
Pupils at Church Hill Middle School report feeling happy and safe in a warm and friendly environment. The strong relationships between staff and students are a notable strength, with staff demonstrating a deep understanding of their pupils' needs. Students feel comfortable approaching staff with any concerns, confident that their issues will be addressed effectively. The school fosters a culture of respect, kindness, and inclusivity, encouraging pupils to support one another and work collaboratively.
The school has high expectations for pupil behavior and conduct, creating an engaging learning atmosphere. Pupils enjoy their time during breaks and understand the routines of the school, receiving support when needed. The school offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including various sports and clubs, which help nurture pupils' interests and personal development. Leadership opportunities are available for pupils of all ages, allowing them to contribute actively to the school community.
In recent years, the curriculum has been strengthened, becoming more ambitious and well-structured. Staff provide opportunities for pupils to revisit their learning, ensuring they grasp essential knowledge across subjects. Pupils achieve well by the end of key stage two, with strong writing skills and a solid foundation built upon prior knowledge. However, there are inconsistencies in how feedback is utilized across subjects, which can hinder pupils' understanding of how to improve their work.
The school effectively supports pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), adapting work to meet their learning requirements. Nonetheless, recent leadership changes have impacted the accurate identification of these pupils' needs, and communication with their parents has not been as robust as necessary. Leaders are taking steps to address these issues, and initial improvements are already visible.
Reading is a priority at Church Hill Middle School, with pupils expressing enthusiasm for their reading materials and library lessons. The well-resourced library encourages a love for reading, and support is provided for those who need to catch up. The school is also focused on improving attendance, which currently falls short of desired levels. Leaders have implemented new processes to address attendance issues, although some pupils remain persistently absent.
Pupils' behavior has improved significantly over the academic year, reflecting positively on the school environment. The school takes effective measures to support pupils who require assistance, employing various interventions to help them meet high expectations. The wider development of pupils is well considered, with assemblies and form tutor programs enhancing their understanding of life in modern Britain.
The trustees and governors possess an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development. They provide strong support, particularly regarding the curriculum and external challenges. Staff workload is also a priority, with recent improvements noted by the staff.
The safeguarding arrangements at Church Hill Middle School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Moving forward, the school aims to enhance the consistency of feedback across subjects, improve attendance rates, and ensure accurate identification of pupils' needs to provide the best possible support for all students.
