Netherbrook Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 June 2023

Netherbrook Primary is a community where pupils feel confident and valued. They enjoy coming to school. Learning is often exciting and inspires enthusiastic learners. Leaders are ambitious for pupils. They want the very best for every child. Pupils rise to fulfil these ambitions. Well-being and positive mental health are priorities. Parents and carers told inspectors that this is a place where their child is well cared for. Staff and pupils are respectful of each other. Lessons and playtimes promote a sense of calm. Pupils say that there are always staff who will help them when needed. Not a moment is wasted for pupils at Netherbrook. Different councils and ambassador roles provide opportunities for pupils to take on responsibility. Trips to places such as the Royal Opera House help pupils to develop an understanding of the arts and the world around them. Litter picking and raising money for local hospital wards inspire pride in the local community of Dudley. Caring and nurturing relationships underpin all that is good at the school. Consequently, behaviour is calm and purposeful in lessons and at other times. Pupil anti-bullying ambassadors inspire others to act when they feel that bullying might be happening.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, leaders have not yet ensured that subject knowledge is well sequenced to build pupils' understanding of the key themes linked to that subject. This means that some pupils struggle to know how current learning relates to things they have learned in the past. Leaders need to ensure that all curriculum plans are precisely sequenced to deepen the pupils' understanding of the key themes linked to that subject.
• In some lessons, teachers do not routinely check on the pupils' understanding and address misconceptions. This means that some pupils find learning confusing and find it difficult to remember what they have learned. Consequently, some pupils are not well prepared for the next steps in learning. Leaders need to ensure that all teachers check what the pupils have learned and understood in all lessons and make appropriate adaptations to the implementation of the curriculum when needed.
• In some lessons, teachers do not consistently provide opportunities for pupils to apply their learning to the broader curriculum or what they have learned elsewhere. This affects how well the pupils make links between different subjects and apply knowledge to future learning. Leaders need to ensure that all staff consistently provide opportunities for pupils to link learning to different aspects of the curriculum so they can deepen their understanding and ability to apply their knowledge.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)