Ofsted praise Oasis Academy Oldham after dramatic improvements

Impressed by changes across an Oldham secondary school during a visit at the beginning of March, school inspectors have raised Oasis Academy Oldham’s Ofsted rating. Students at the academy told inspectors they feel safe, get along well with each other, and show respect to staff.

The inspection, carried out at the academy over a two-day period on 1st and 2nd March 2022, has led to a new categorisation of ‘Requires Improvement’ with ‘Good’ personal development. Furthermore, Ofsted stated that leaders have introduced many changes that are beginning to have a positive impact on the quality of education that students receive.

Highlights from the report include:

• “Leaders place a strong emphasis on promoting students’ development”
• “Students are keen to take on positions of responsibility”
• “Leaders have recently overhauled the curriculum to ensure that it is suitably ambitious for students”
• “Reading is promoted well by leaders. Students have the opportunities to develop their reading knowledge and comprehension skills across the curriculum.”

Inspectors praised the principal Marie Dillon and her leadership team for driving changes at the academy. School leaders have improved the quality of education, overhauled the curriculum and students with SEND are studying a broader range of subjects.

Marie Dillon, Principal at Oasis Academy Oldham commented saying; “We are grateful to Ofsted for their report and feedback on the changes we are implementing at the academy. We are of course pleased that they have recognised what our school community knows – that Oasis Academy Oldham is a school that is improving and has the plans in place to continue an upward trajectory.”

“The changes are thanks to our united staff team – we are all dedicated to making the academy the exceptional school that our students deserve. Our students receive care and support, and they are continually growing in confidence that fuels their development and achievements. Students are proud of their school, and we are proud of them.”

The report highlighted the opportunities in reading and further developing students comprehension, saying; “reading is promoted well by leaders. Students have opportunities to develop their reading knowledge across the curriculum. Leaders have identified those students who are in the early stages of learning to read. These students benefit from additional support from well-trained adults. This is helping these students to build their confidence and fluency in reading.”

Ofsted are supportive of the plans the school has in place, and the support provided by the trust and board members.

Jane Hughes, Regional Director for Northern Secondaries at Oasis Community Learning added; “This report is a credit to Mrs Dillon and the team for all their hard work. We are grateful to our parents and the wider community, who are supportive of the actions we are taking. Despite the considerable impact of the pandemic in this region, our families have worked with us to ensure there has been continuity of education. Staff at Oasis Academy Oldham have worked tremendously hard to ensure children could keep up with their learning during this time.”

“I am delighted that the improvements in the academy so far have been recognised by Ofsted and our families can be assured by this report that we are building strong foundations here, and that we have the plans in place to continue to upward trajectory of the academy.”

Read the full report