Celebrations as Oasis Academy Leesbrook is ‘Good’ in all categories

Students, parents and staff at Oasis Academy Leesbrook are celebrating after Ofsted has judged the school to be ‘Good’ in all categories – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, students’ personal development, and leadership and management following an inspection in January.

In the overwhelmingly positive report, inspectors praised the curriculum, student behaviour and expectations and the calm and happy school environment.

Inspectors explain how the Academy is providing a developed school curriculum that is carefully focused on students’ personal development, as well as having chosen topics aimed at broadening students’ understanding of both their local context and the wider world. Staff are commended for having strong knowledge of the topics that they teach, and for selecting appropriate activities to help students learn more effectively.

The curriculum is designed for all students, and Ofsted noted “Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. Teachers use a range of strategies to adapt how they deliver the curriculum for these pupils. This helps most pupils with SEND to achieve well.”

Inspectors found that leaders of the Academy have high expectations of student behaviour, and there are clear routines set to support students to meet these expectations. Students as a result are highly ambitious and strive to make use of all opportunities available to them, for example: joining the student leadership team, or training them as a student librarian.

“A very high proportion of pupils follow the English Baccalaureate, for example all the current Year 11 are studying the full suite of subjects. Most pupils participate in at least two extra-curricular activities each week, chosen from the extensive range on offer to them. Most pupils value the positive difference that these routines make to the learning environment in the school.”

Ofsted also describe a happy and inclusive school. The students value the variety of ways in which their teachers encourage them to be respectful and treat everyone equally, and are proud of the diverse nature of their school community and enjoy opportunities to celebrate this through events such as ‘culture day.’

“Most pupils feel happy and safe in school. They develop a sense of belonging by spending time in their school family groups, for example during family dining. The atmosphere in the school is calm and focused. Pupils have positive relationships with their teachers and feel well supported by them.

Commenting on the report, Principal Sarah Livesey says: “We are grateful to Ofsted for this report, and for the time they took to get to know Oasis Academy Leesbrook. We are of course delighted with the assessment of our curriculum, the high expectations and ambitions we have for every student, and the happy and productive learning environment we have here.”

“My thanks to the students and our parents for the support they provide the school and congratulations to our staff team and volunteers who have all worked so hard to ensure Oasis Academy Leesbrook has made such a positive start.”