Sandwell Learning Centre

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 February 2025

Pupils like coming to this school where they build warm and trusting relationships with staff and each other. This is important because most pupils who attend this school have had substantial gaps in their education or disruption to their lives. All pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs. They benefit from the school's focus on helping them learn to manage their emotions. Over time, they develop the skills they need to build secure friendships and relate to others. The school is ambitious for what pupils will achieve, both in terms of academic outcomes and the skills and knowledge they need for adult life. Pupils feel proud they learn well in a broad range of subjects. They are supported to think about their future career and educational options, and this motivates them to work hard. Pupils here are taught to behave respectfully towards others. Staff model the school's high expectations daily. Sometimes pupils find it challenging to meet these but appreciate that staff show patience and understanding while supporting them to make good choices. Although bullying and unkindness sometimes occur, pupils are rightly confident that the school deals with this well.

What the school should improve

• Sometimes lesson activities are not well designed to build on pupils' prior knowledge. This means that pupils sometimes find it difficult to access tasks or their learning is not as secure as it could be. The school should ensure that teachers have the necessary expertise to adapt the curriculum so learning more consistently builds on what pupils already know.

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