Staff and pupils at an Oldbury primary school are celebrating a very positive Ofsted inspection report, while also looking forward to moving to a brand-new building for the future.
Causeway Green Primary School has received ‘Expected standard’ gradings in all areas following an inspection in January 2026.
This marks significant progress for the school over the past three years since it received a ‘Requires improvement’ overall grading – under the old Ofsted grading system – following an inspection in March 2023.
In their recent report, inspectors praised how school leaders “have a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for development”, “have created a broad and balanced curriculum”, and “have identified clear priorities and their actions are having a positive impact, for example on pupils’ writing and mathematics outcomes”.
They also noted: “Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They have positive attitudes to their learning.”
The inspectors added: “Pupils feel valued, included and supported at Causeway Green. They learn in a safe, nurturing environment where staff know them well and help them to grow in confidence.”
Welcoming their new Ofsted grading, school staff have described “a real sense of community” where everyone works hard and works together to achieve.
Head Teacher Tracey Flanagan said: “We have been on a journey of development. It’s an old school but it’s full of love and life, so we’re delighted to achieve the grading of ‘Expected’ in all areas despite the conditions of the school.”
Sandwell Council is planning to build a new Causeway Green Primary School as part of the new Brandhall Village in Oldbury. The Brandhall Village project also includes a 67-acre public park and, subject to final planning approvals, 190 new homes.
The new school, which will replace the current 74-year-old building in Penncricket Lane, is set to be built near the corner of Grafton Road and Ferndale Road. Subject to planning consent, work is expected to start on the new school this autumn and be finished by early 2028.
Mrs Flanagan added: “These children deserve a school like this. Our children are the heart of the community and they’re going to be in somewhere really beautiful that they will just thrive in.”
Councillor Harnoor Bhullar, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “I congratulate everyone at Causeway Green Primary School for all their efforts to achieve this very well-deserved Ofsted grading.
“As part of the new school, we’re ensuring that many of the new classrooms will open towards open spaces where the children can make use of them, and this can also support their wellbeing. We are trying to retain as much of the natural habitat as we possibly can.”
Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure, said: “Causeway Green is one of the most ageing schools that we have, with a concrete construction, and it’s had continuing flooding which has led to repeated closures of the school.
“This development represents one of the key regeneration priorities for Sandwell – including a carbon neutral school and 27-hectare eco park with biodiversity.”
For more information on Brandhall Village and other regeneration projects across Sandwell, visit the Regenerating Sandwell website.
