Oakley Church of England Combined School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils show the school's values of love, honesty and respect very well.

They are thoughtful and polite. Pupils are happy and positive learners. They have trusted adults they can go to if they have any worries.

Pupils of all backgrounds are welcomed with open arms by everyone.

Academic achievement has been declining in recent years. This is reflected in published results.

Pupils have not been learning the key knowledge and skills across the curriculum that they should. Sometimes teachers have not had high enough expectations of what pupils could achieve. The school is taking appropriate and effective action to address this.

Pupils want to mak...e a difference to others. They take the opportunity to apply for and carry out leadership roles, such as 'well-being ambassadors', house captains and school councillors. Most of these roles of responsibility are reserved for older pupils which creates a genuine sense of admiration and respect from younger children within the school.

The character and camaraderie demonstrated by older pupils is very strong. Parents and carers are largely positive about the school. They acknowledge the challenges the school has faced recently but appreciate the steadfast care and support given to the pupils.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has had a number of key staff changes since the last inspection. It has worked well with external agencies to understand the main challenges and priorities. The school has an accurate understanding of its strengths and weaknesses.

The issues affecting the quality of education have started to be addressed effectively but there is still some way to go. As a result, some gaps in pupils' learning remain.

The school's curriculum has recently been transformed.

It sets out the knowledge and skills pupils need to learn clearly in all subjects. The school acknowledges further work is needed to ensure that pupils achieve well in mixed-age classes. Some of the learning tasks across the curriculum do not meet the needs of the pupils.

For some pupils they are too challenging, while for others they are too simple. Staff have secure subject knowledge. Processes for checking how well pupils learn key knowledge are strong in English and mathematics.

However, in other subjects they are in their infancy. As a result, at times teachers do not know how well pupils are learning the intended curriculum. This means that sometimes gaps in pupils' learning are not addressed effectively.

In the Reception Year, children make a good start to school life. The curriculum is well designed. Children learn early reading and mathematics well, as well as building strong foundations for friendships that last.

Children leave the early years ready for Year 1.

The school prioritises reading. The welcoming library helps to promote the love of reading.

Staff use every opportunity to check that children remember the phonics they are learning. Typically, staff model individual sounds precisely. The books that pupils read across the school are well matched to their reading ability.

Pupils who have fallen behind quickly gain the knowledge and skills they need to become confident, fluent readers. This helps generate a love of reading through the school.

The school identifies pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well.

Staff typically set clear, specific targets for pupils with SEND and plan activities that help pupils work towards achieving these targets. This enables them to follow the same curriculum as their peers. Where individual support is needed, this is delivered with care and patience.

Pupils rise to meet the school's high expectations for behaviour. Pupils are clear that respect for others is important. They are positive about how they are cared for and extend this to others.

Pupils enjoy their social times. They get along well together at playtimes, when they enjoy the games and activities on offer in the well-resourced grounds. Pupils' attendance is strong.

Where pupils need more support to improve their attendance, the school liaises effectively with families to make this happen.

The school delivers a well-thought-through personal development programme. This includes a wide range of extra-curricular clubs that allow pupils to explore their talents and interests.

Residential trips and effective use of additional sports funding enables pupils to experience different pursuits, such as more adventurous water sports or performing at renowned national venues.

The school is well led and managed. Staff appreciate the thought the school puts into understanding their workload and well-being.

The governors fulfil their statutory duties effectively. They know what needs to be done and have the skills to support the school to improve the quality of education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The implementation of the new curriculum in many subjects is not as effective as the school wants it to be, including in English and mathematics. As a result, some pupils are not progressing as well as they should through the school's curriculum. The school should build on the work that they have already done to ensure that teachers develop pupils' knowledge effectively in all subjects.

• Processes to check the impact of the curriculum in science and the foundation subjects are not well established. As result, teachers do not know what pupils have learned in these subjects and where gaps in pupils' knowledge exist. The school needs to ensure that teachers check what pupils have learned in science and the foundation subjects so that they know what they need to revisit.

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