OA - Suffolk

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 January 2023

Positive relationships based on trust are key to pupils' success. Adults take time to get to know them. Pupils benefit from a calm and orderly environment, which helps them re-engage into education. They feel happy, safe and secure as a result. Being 'Olive' is important for pupils. It demonstrates how they reflect the school's values during their time at the provision. Pupils' confidence and self-belief. The 'Olive Way' represents the high expectations staff have of pupils. Pupils feel valued and learn that they can be successful. They show this through their good attitudes to learning and the high-quality work they produce. Pupils say that behaviour in the school has improved. They work happily alongside one another in lessons. Lunchtimes are sociable occasions. During the inspection, for example, pupils chatted together and participated in organised team games in the sports hall. Pupils report that bullying is rare. They know who to talk to if they have any concerns. Pupils trust that adults will sort out any problems. Pupils talk enthusiastically about their outdoor learning. They say it provides the opportunity to learn new skills. As a result, pupils are eager to explore different work-related experiences, such as carpentry and tourism.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not made effective use of all the information they collate to fully evaluate the impact of their planned curriculum. This means that they do not have a strategic overview of how well plans are working and what pupils remember across subjects over time. Leaders should ensure that they complete detailed evaluations of the effectiveness of all subjects so that they know precisely what is working well and what needs to improve.

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