Oaklands Catholic School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 April 2026

Pupils are proud to be part of the Oaklands community. They feel known by staff and trust they will get the support they need, both academically and personally. Pupils say bullying is rare and that it is not acceptable at school. They know that leaders deal with any form of abuse. This makes them feel safe. Behaviour is excellent both in and out of the classroom. Pupils are keen to attend regularly and achieve well. They listen intently in lessons and ask questions to develop their understanding. Pupils treat each other and staff with respect. This makes it a happy and purposeful place for all members of the community. Pupils enjoy learning. The curriculum enables them to build their knowledge gradually during their time at school. Pupils achieve above average in many subjects in GCSEs. In the sixth form, results are broadly in line with national averages. Pupils receive targeted and impartial age-appropriate advice on their career choices. They are well prepared for the next steps in education, employment and training. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged are very well supported. Leaders know pupils' needs precisely. They identify what adaptations can be made and ensure these are then put into place by well-trained staff. These pupils progress well from their starting points. The school's ethos builds a strong sense of community. Pupils feel that they belong and are respected. They develop positive character traits based on the school values of community, unity and opportunity. A broad range of experiences, including school performances and competitive sports, gives pupils a sense of pride in their school. Culture week, organised by the sixth form, celebrates the range of cultures in the school in a variety of ways. Pupils value this and appreciate what it teaches them about the rest of the world.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that teachers' checks on pupils' understanding in all subjects are consistently effective and inform subsequent teaching, which in turn supports all pupils to achieve highly.
• Leaders should ensure that in the sixth form teachers maximise opportunities to deepen students' knowledge and understanding, enabling more students to achieve at a high level.

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