A Black Country school set up in 2016 to help and support those who have missed out on educational opportunities has been rated “Outstanding” in its latest Ofsted report.

Ofsted Inspectors commented about Sandwell Valley School: “The belief in and aspirations for pupils are far-reaching, stretching beyond academic achievements.

“Leaders want pupils to experience the best of education and be well prepared for future life chances. Pupils know that staff believe in them. This means a great deal to pupils, many of whom have not experienced this level of support previously.”

Sandwell Valley School has expanded rapidly as other schools and councils in the area use the school’s services, providing GCSEs, a bespoke curriculum and qualifications to meet the individual needs of each child.

The school caters for students from a wide variety of backgrounds.

School Principal Mim Hall said that some of their students arrive from war zones and have been separated from family and friends. Others have missed out on educational opportunities at a critical stage of their lives through no fault of their own.

She said: “Our students come from diverse backgrounds and arrive with differing abilities, but it is our task to ensure the best outcome for all of them. That’s why we are particularly proud of our Ofsted rating of ‘Outstanding’.”

The school has been supported by local businesses including the Bond Wolfe Charitable Trust, Sandwell Community Caring Trust and other local businesses keen to “make a difference”.

Recently, Nicola Richards, MP for West Bromwich East, hosted a dinner for students from Sandwell Valley School to network with industry leaders to inspire them in the first stages of their career.

The event was attended by successful business people, doctors and many other professionals, and also West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, and former Digital Minister and current Executive Chair of Warwick Manufacturing Group Margot James.

Mim Hall, Principal of Sandwell Valley School, said: “It’s been a wonderful past 12 months for Sandwell Valley School, especially after we were rated as outstanding by Ofsted.

“Our students were thrilled to be able to network with local dignitaries, politicians, and industry representatives at the dinner. The guests were so helpful in showing our students the wonderful opportunities open to them.

“My sincere thanks go out to them for their time and Nicola and the sponsors for making this happen.”

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For more information, please contact:

Mim Hall, Principal,

Sandwell Valley School,

150 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, B70 6QT

Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner of ASAP – 07990 978257

About Sandwell Valley School 

Sandwell Valley School accepts pupils throughout the school year from a variety of referral agencies and can offer bespoke programmes including eight GCSEs linked to the pupils’ needs whether that be emotional/social or any other barrier that is impeding achievement.

Additionally, pupils from Years 7-11, who are at the early stages of learning English as an additional language, attend intervention programmes to improve their communication, reading and writing skills and follow a range of other qualifications.

The school also offers short term and long terms placements for Year 7 to years 11 with an approach that is both flexible and innovative, plus post 16 provision which includes GCSE programmes.