Ofsted: 10 schools in Sandwell and Dudley which have had ratings changed this academic year - for better or worse
Some schools across the West Midlands are ending their academic year with a different grade from Ofsted than when they started - here is what changed.
A new “tougher” school grading system was implemented five years ago, but, since September 2024, inspectors have no longer been handing out one-word judgements for schools.
The change has shaken up how schools are graded when Ofsted comes calling, and whether the new system is tougher or more understanding is yet to be seen - especially as the system will be replaced again this November with a broader ‘report card’ system.
But inspectors still did their rounds, and several schools in Sandwell and Dudley are ending their summer term with a different rating than those they started with in September 2024.
Here are the schools in Sandwell and Dudley that saw a drastic change in their reports in the 2024/25 academic year - for better and worse.
Caslon Primary Community School: Requires Improvement, down from Good (December 19, 2024)
Caslon Primary Community School on Beeches View Avenue, Halesowen has seen three areas decline in its recent inspections. The school's 'quality of education,' 'leadership and management' and 'early years provisions' have been changed from 'Good' to 'Requires Improvement,' while its 'behaviour and attitudes' and 'personal development' have retained their 'Good' ratings. Despite the demotion, inspectors described it as "a very welcoming school".
Dingle Community Primary School: Requires Improvement, down from Good (March 10, 2025)
Dingle Community Primary School on Madeley Road, Kingswinford has also dropped into the 'Requires Improvement' category, with the school's 'quality of education' and 'early years provisions' being demoted from 'Good' on the previous inspection. Inspectors said: "The school is ambitious for what pupils can achieve academically and beyond. However, pupils are not supported to achieve as well as they could across some parts of the curriculum."
Dudley Port School: Requires Improvement, down from Good (May 22, 2025)
Dudley Port School in Tipton has been told it 'Requires Improvement' in all areas in its latest Ofsted report. It was previously rated as 'Outstanding' for 'personal development,' and 'Good' in all other areas. Inspectors said: "Pupils at Dudley Port have usually experienced considerable disruption to their education by the time they join the school."
Dudley Wood Primary School: Good, up from Requires Improvement (September 13, 2024)
Dudley Wood Primary School on Dudley Wood Road has achieved considerable improvements in a number of key areas, and is now considered 'Good' across the board by Ofsted. Inspectors said "The ‘STARS’ values of Sharing, Trust, Achievement, Respect and Safety are lived daily at Dudley Wood Primary School."
Halesowen Church of England School: Good, up from Requires Improvement (January 23, 2025)
Halesowen Church of England School on High Street, Halesowen has shown improvement in two key areas that means it is rated 'Good' in all departments. Its 'quality of education' and 'leadership and management' have moved from 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good,' joining the other areas. Inspectors described it as "an inclusive school where all pupils are welcome".
Hob Green Primary School: Outstanding, up from Good (March 19, 2025)
Hob Green Primary School in Stourbridge has seen its 'early years provisions' rating bumped up from 'Good' to 'Outstanding' in the latest Ofsted inspection. They said: "Pupils are happy at this fully inclusive school. Pupils play well together, and they know that staff care for them and look after them."
Mount Pleasant Primary School: Requires Improvement, down from Good (December 17, 2025)
Mount Pleasant Primary School in Brierley Hill has been told it 'Requires Improvement' when it comes to its 'quality of education' and 'leadership and management,' having previously been rated 'Good' in those areas. Inspectors said: "The new leadership, supported by a dedicated team of staff and governors, recognises that there is more work to do to ensure that pupils achieve well by the time they leave the school."
Priory Primary School: Good, up from Requires Improvement (November 15, 2024)
Priory Primary School in Dudley has improved the 'quality of education' from 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good,' meaning it is 'Good' in all areas. Inspectors said it is "a happy school, which serves a richly diverse community".
Q3 Academy Tipton: Good, up from Requires Improvement (May 22, 2025)
The 'quality of education' and 'behaviour and attitudes' at Q3 Academy in Tipton no longer 'Require Improvement,' and instead are rated 'Good' by Ofsted. Inspectors said: "Pupils and sixth-form students enjoy coming to this school."
Windsor High: Outstanding, up from Good (November 13, 2024)
Windsor High School and Sixth Form in Halesowen has been rated 'Outstanding' across all areas, an upgrade on its previous rating of 'Good.' Inspectors said: "Pupils work hard, aspire highly and contribute to the thriving life of the unique school."
