Ofsted salute Oldham secondary school following virtual inspection

Date published: 30 March 2021


Ofsted inspectors who visited an Oldham secondary school found that leaders leave no stone unturned in their bid to continue the academy’s upward trajectory of progress.

Oasis Academy Oldham had a virtual one day inspection on February 24, where inspectors said: “leaders and those responsible for governance are taking effective action to provide education in the current circumstances.”

The inspectors also commented that:

· “You [Principal] and other leaders have ensured that staff are appropriately trained to deliver remote education. You have also made sure that all pupils have access to a digital device.”

· “Over the past 20 months, you [Principal] have successfully evaluated the purpose of the school’s curriculum.”

· “You [Principal] and trust leaders have strengthened and reorganised the leadership of SEND. Leaders are now more effective at sharing specialist resources and knowledge.”

· “OCL national lead practitioners provide training for subject leaders. This is having a positive impact on developing subject leaders’ expertise.”

A theme that resounds through Ofsted’s findings is that the academy is dedicated to helping students achieve and excel.

The report continued to say: “During the summer term 2020, you provided subject leaders and teachers with time to identify the most important knowledge that pupils need to know and remember.

"Teachers have made steady progress in planning the order in which this knowledge is delivered.”

Dominique Gobbi, Principal at Oasis Academy Oldham, said: “We are grateful to Ofsted for this positive and helpful report which accurately reflects what our staff, students and parents know – we are an improving school that cares about the community it serves and is dedicated to supporting our children to achieve their very best.

“My thanks go to all of our teachers and support staff who are committed to developing their practice so that our students can make even greater progress.”

The multi-academy trust responsible for the academy, Oasis Community Learning, are also praised for holding the school to account, saying: “Oasis Community Learning (OCL) multi-academy trust are knowledgeable about the specific challenges faced by you [Principal] and your staff.

"They have thorough systems in place to check the quality of the education on offer. Trust leaders hold you and other staff to account effectively.”

Jane Hughes, Regional Director for Northern Secondaries at Oasis Community Learning, added: “This report is a true reflection of where the academy is now and it remains on a continued journey of swift and sustainable improvement, and I am very confident that the plans Dominique has in place means that the progress and achievement of students at the academy will continue to climb.”


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