Oak Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 November 2024

Oak Academy seeks to reinforce the core values of respect, courage, kindness and excellence in all areas of school life. It has reviewed the curriculum to make it more ambitious. This is beginning to address the low published outcomes for pupils. The trust has recently undergone significant changes of leadership. It is now able to provide greater support to the school and there has been an increase in the pace of improvement. However, at this time, many of the changes at the school have been made recently and therefore have had limited impact. The school has raised expectations for pupils' behaviour. Pupils now understand what behaviour is unacceptable. Adults apply the behaviour policy fairly. As a result, the school is calm and pupils can learn without disruption. Pupils value the 'oak points' and the other rewards they are given for their good behaviour and contributions to school life. Pupils take part in a range of extra-curricular activities, such as drama and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. They enjoy chess, coding and podcast clubs, as well as taking part in a wide range of sports. Pupils appreciate that leaders have listened to them when planning new activities such as girls' football. Pupils take on leadership roles within the school. The new year group prefects are keen to play their part in improving the school.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum is not adapted precisely enough to meet the needs of pupils with SEND. Consequently, these pupils do not learn the curriculum as well as they might. The school should ensure that support for pupils with SEND is consistently effective.
• Assessment within the classroom does not help adults accurately identify pupils' starting points or gaps in their knowledge and understanding. This means that some pupils do not receive the support or challenge they need to learn as well as they should. The school should make sure that routine checks for understanding are effective to help pupils achieve more highly across the curriculum.
• The school currently does not have sufficient systems in place to accurately monitor and review the quality of education within the school. This means that this school is unclear of what is working well and where further improvements may be needed. The trust should ensure that leaders at all levels, including governance, can accurately monitor, assess and challenge the quality of education provided.

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