Oakwood High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The headteacher and the new governing body share an aspirational vision for the school.

They have raised the expectations of staff and students. Standards of behaviour, attendance and the quality of leadership and teaching have improved. Results have improved significantly.

The progress of students in English is now outstanding. Overall, results have risen over three years from significantly below average to significantly above average because : teaching is now consistently at least good. The quality of teaching has improved quickly across the school because school leaders have raised the expectation of what their students can achieve....r/>
They have created a culture where both students and teachers believe they can improve. Students value their education and take pride in their achievements and in their school. The headteacher and governors have created the conditions that allow for highly skilled leaders, at all levels, to work with widely distributed responsibilities All staff fully understand their role in improving education within this school.

Leaders and teachers now reflect on their own performance and are sufficiently confident to be self-critical. The positive and supportive culture within the school enables staff to seek and achieve improvement; always refining their skills. Students talk confidently to adults, are courteous and mannerly.

Behaviour has improved because students understand the impact of poor conduct and they are now taking personal responsibility for their behaviour and that of others. Students feel safe in an environment where everyone is respected and valued. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Achievement is good in mathematics and is outstanding over time in too few subjects.

The attendance of students who attend vocational provision is not as good as others.

Information about this school

Oakwood High School is an averaged-sized school situated in Rotherham. Since the previous full inspection the leadership team has been fully restructured and a new leader of mathematics has been appointed.

The proportion of students who are known to be eligible for free school meals (attracting additional funding to the school called 'pupil premium') is higher than the national average. The school is based within a diverse community. Almost a half of the student body are from minority ethnic groups, and students who have Pakistani heritage form a third of the school population.

The numbers of students from an East European background are increasing. There is a significant proportion of students who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of students supported at school action is above that found nationally.

The proportion of students supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The school operates across two sites. The Hutton Park campus is jointly run by this school and one other.

It provides vocational courses for about 150 Oakwood students. Within the last 18 months, the governing body has reduced its membership to 11 and significantly altered its methods of operation. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress.