"TEACHERS NEVER GIVE UP ON US" Students tell Ofsted Inspectors

In September 2008 Oasis Academy Coulsdon opened its doors with a promise to ‘transform education and life chances for its students’ and following a two-day visit by HMI Inspectors, Ofsted have confirmed that the Academy is indeed fulfilling its promise.  The overall judgements from the Inspection are: 

Oasis Academy Coulsdon is a ‘good’ school and “is providing its students with a good quality of education. The school’s capacity for sustained improvement is ‘good’.”

The Inspectors visited the Academy on 23rd and 24th March.  They conducted lesson observations, held meetings with the Principal, staff, students, Academy Councillors and Parents.  They scrutinised documents and checked safeguarding arrangements.  Questionnaires were sent to Parents and Students and Inspectors analysed responses, investigated and verified feedback received.  Inspectors graded the Academy ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ in 24 out of the total of 27 judgements that they made.

Rev Steve Chalke, Founder of Oasis said:  “To achieve such a positive outcome, at this stage in the Academy’s development, is a great achievement.   I would like to thank all the staff for their very evident commitment to each of our students and their families, because of which the Oasis vision is becoming a reality.”

Students told the Inspectors that they “enjoyed being at the Academy and felt very safe”.  They said that “the teachers never give up on us.”  The Report confirms that the Academy’s safeguarding procedures and practices were ‘good’ and praised the Academy for the care, guidance and support it gave to students.

“Students are well known to staff” and receive personalised attention through the pastoral systems, supporting both their well-being, and their academic and personal development.  Students receive “good spiritual, moral, social and cultural guidance and are well prepared for the next stage of their lives, making good progress in learning related to the world of work.”  The Inspectors praised the students for their good behaviour and said “they made an outstanding contribution to the wider community”.  The Inspectors found the Academy to be “inclusive and cohesive; providing a caring environment in which students develop a clear sense of values.”

The Inspectors praised the Academy for the improvement in the number of students gaining 5 A*-C grades at GCSE which is now above the national average at 82% in 2010 (63% in 2009).  Inspectors particularly acknowledged the ‘dynamic leaders’ who have brought about significant improvements in English & Science results.  The Inspectors were also pleased with the action taken by senior leaders to improve Mathematics and were impressed by the effective procedures, monitoring systems and intervention strategies put in place to improve Maths results.  Having studied all the data and considered all strategies the Inspectors found that “all groups of students make good progress.”

The Academy was praised for its good curriculum which, the Inspectors said, is “well suited to students’ needs and interests” and central to the successful improvements in students’ progress and attitudes.  “Teachers’ subject knowledge is good and they have high expectations of the standards that students should reach. “  Lessons were well-planned; students were given ‘opportunities to shine’ and make “rapid gains in their learning.”  There were “good relationships between teachers and students” and students value the support they receive, particularly the extra opportunities provided outside of normal lessons.  “Staff are held firmly to account for the achievement of students and rigorous assessment and monitoring systems are in place.”

The Inspectors praised the “strong leadership of the Principal and his clear vision for future of the Academy”.  Inspectors congratulated him on his highly successful style of management which has drawn together “a team of committed staff who feel empowered to make improvements to the quality of provision.”

Cllr Tim Pollard, Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Learners said, “Secondary schools across Croydon are continuing to improve and the Ofsted rating of ‘good’ for Oasis Academy Coulsdon is a testament to the excellent work that teachers and school staff are doing to ensure that students at the school are receiving the best possible education. “I am pleased that Ofsted have recognised that not only does the Academy provide students with a good education, but that it also has capacity to continue to improve. Congratulations to all those who have contributed to this success – staff, pupils, and parents. I'm sure Oasis Coulsdon will continue to go from strength to strength.”

The Inspectors toured the new building currently under construction and were impressed by the carefully planned and thoughtfully managed way in which the Principal had ensured the involvement and safety of the whole Academy community in the planning process. 

The Inspectors agreed with the areas for further development identified by the Academy.  In order to improve further the Academy should:

o Raise achievement, particularly in Mathematics
o Develop middle leaders’ consistency and effectiveness in raising standards
o Improve rates of attendance and reduce levels of persistent absence.

Principal David Millar paid tribute to his team of staff: “We are all obviously delighted with the outcome of the Inspection.  Students, parents and staff now have a sense of pride in being part of our Oasis Family.  I am particularly pleased that the Report acknowledges that the improvements have been brought about by the commitment, dedication and hard work of staff, it has been a real team effort to get this far.  We are now over the first hurdle with our goal clearly in sight; we are not going to rest on this;  we will achieve our vision and be Outstanding.”