Oakridge Parochial School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 October 2022

Oakridge Parochial School is a happy community. Pupils thrive in the nurturing environment. Teachers have high expectations for all pupils' learning and behaviour. Pupils rise to these expectations. They achieve well and want to be successful. Pupils show positive attitudes to their learning. They behave well in class and around the school. They work and play well together and encourage and support each other. Pupils enjoy a wide range of experiences that enhance their broader development. For example, they were very enthusiastic about meeting the author Rob Biddulph at the Cheltenham Literary Festival. Pupils describe themselves as 'creative' and 'artistic' and love outdoor learning. They actively contribute to the life of the school as members of the school council. Bullying is rare. Pupils say they know adults will sort out bullying if it happens. Parents agree that their children are safe. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the work of the school. One parent commented, 'Staff know their pupils well and tailor the learning to them as individuals.' Pupils are keen to recommend their school to other families. One described Oakridge as 'a hidden gem'.

What the school should improve

• Assessment in subjects other than English and mathematics is not yet effective. As a result, some subject leaders do not have a detailed enough understanding of how well pupils learn the intended curriculum. Leaders need to strengthen assessment procedures so they have an accurate understanding of pupils' progress through the curriculum.
• In some subjects, teachers do not always provide learning that builds successfully on what pupils already know. This limits the opportunity for pupils to learn more, deepen their knowledge and remember more over time. Leaders should ensure that teachers provide learning that is matched accurately to the needs of all pupils.

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