Purple Oaks Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 March 2022

Pupils develop their communication skills, independence and emotional regulation well through the curriculum. Leaders and staff have high expectations for pupils. Staff ensure all pupils can access the curriculum. Pupils typically learn in small group arrangements. Some enjoy one-to-one teaching. Learning is matched to pupils' individual needs. Pupils work towards achieving suitable targets based on their education, health and care plans (EHC plan). Staff work well with parents and carers and external agencies to nurture and support pupils. Most pupils enjoy school. Consistent routines help pupils to feel safe. Relationships between staff and pupils are good. Staff know pupils well. Pupils know adults they can go to if they are worried. From the early years, children are provided with suitable communication tools. They learn to use them independently. They can explain their needs to adults. Pupils' behaviour is generally good. Bullying is rare. Adults help pupils to understand and manage their behaviour. They explain why some behaviour is unacceptable. Most pupils think that staff sort out incidents of poor behaviour or bullying fairly. Pupils appreciate that adults take time to discuss with them the triggers and resolutions for any poor behaviour. Pupils enjoy trips and experiences as a reward for their improved behaviour, achievements and attendance.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have revised the curriculum. The content for what they want pupils to learn and when is outlined. Teachers adapt learning to meet pupils' individual needs. However, some subjects have only recently been reviewed. Not all state clearly the key knowledge that teachers need to teach. Subject leaders should ensure that teachers understand the important knowledge that pupils need to know for each subject.
• There is a structured programme in place to teach phonics. However, leaders have identified that the teaching of phonics is not meeting pupils' needs as well as it could. Leaders are in the process of introducing a new approach for the teaching of phonics. Leaders should ensure that the new systematic synthetic programme to teach phonics is implemented as soon as possible and that all staff are trained to teach it.

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