Oakwood Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leadership and management are good. The governors provide a good level of challenge and support and take decisive action when required.

The staff, senior leaders and governors are united in their commitment to an ambitious vision for the school's future. This has had a positive impact on the school's overall effectiveness. Achievement is good and pupils make good progress in English and mathematics from the time they enter the school.

The executive headteacher, head of school, staff and governors have worked very effectively together to improve the quality of teaching and learning since the previous inspection. Teaching is now consistentl...y good. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage join the school from a large number of different settings.

They settle extremely quickly and make very good progress during their first year at school. Pupils' progress throughout their school career is accurately monitored and any underperformance is quickly addressed. The extremely rich curriculum provides a varied and exciting range of learning experiences which meet the needs of all the pupils.

Pupils feel safe in school. Their behaviour is good. They get on well together and demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning.

Relationships between staff and pupils are very good and a fundamental strength of the school. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The standards attained in writing are not yet as good as those in mathematics and reading. Not enough of the teaching is outstanding.

This is because teachers do not always pace a lesson correctly. In addition, some marking does not give sufficient guidance to pupils to help them improve their work.

Information about this school

Oakwood is a slightly larger than average-sized primary school located close to the centre of Plymouth.

The school is part of a federation of two schools which was established in 2008. The partner school is Beechwood Primary School. The two schools are led by an executive headteacher and one board of governors.

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in two Reception classes. The pupils in the older age groups are taught in three Key Stage 1 classes, including one mixed-age class and six Key Stage 2 classes which include two mixed-age classes. The vast majority of pupils at Oakwood (94%) come from White British backgrounds.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for children in local authority care and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, is in line with the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs supported at school action, school action plus or statements of special educational needs is similar to the national average. The school has met and exceeded the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

The current leadership structure was established in September 2010. The school operates a breakfast club which is situated on the school site. The school does not use alternative provision for any of its pupils.

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