Oakway Academy celebrate ‘GOOD’ Ofsted Report!

The Trust are proud to announce that Oakway Academy have achieved the school’s best ever Ofsted rating in 20 years, as a recent inspection confirmed it as a ‘good’ school.  The report, published by Ofsted in February 2023, is the academy’s third inspection since joining Hatton Academies Trust in 2014, with the outcome of each inspection resulting in a higher Ofsted rating than the one before.

Ofsted inspectors, who judged the academy to be ‘good’ in all five areas of the inspection framework, praised leaders for being ‘resolute in improving the school’

The report noted that ‘Pupils enjoy their time at the school. One pupil said: “This school is great because the teachers are kind and we learn interesting things”’

Academy leaders have been praised as being ‘particularly ambitious for pupils with SEND,’ and for ‘making sound and well-informed decisions about what to improve and when’

The inspection team were highly complementary about the culture and ethos of the academy pointing out that ‘Pupils are highly respectful of one another and of difference. Pupils learn to debate tricky issues in a mature manner. One pupil stated: “Our school is very welcoming, and our differences are what make our school unique”’

Other highlights of the report include:

• ‘Teaching pupils to read well is a priority. Leaders have clear expectations of what they want pupils to achieve’
• ‘Teachers draw in their strong subject knowledge to design and deliver lessons that are exciting for pupils’
• ‘Children make a strong start in the early years foundation stage (EYFS). Learning activities are carefully considered and skilfully constructed’
• ‘The school has high expectations for behaviour. Recent changes to the behaviour policy has raised expectations further. Pupils are clear about the rules and understand their importance. Behaviour is good in lessons and on the playground’
• ‘There is a strong culture of safeguarding within this school. The welfare team provide the necessary support for pupils to overcome difficulties’
• ‘Expectations are high for all pupils to achieve well, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and the most disadvantaged’

As well as highlighting the many strengths of the academy, the report also focuses on a small number of improvements, such improving children’s rates of absence, by ensuring recently introduced strategies, are having the desired impact. All leaders and staff at the Academy are committed to working relentlessly to ensure these improvements are secured.

Claire Byron, Principal at Oakway Academy

 ‘Securing a ‘good’ Ofsted rating for the first time as Oakway Academy is a significant achievement for the school and the wider community. It is testament to the hard work and commitment of our wonderful children, parents, staff and directors. We hope this provides parents and carers with confidence that the steps taken and measures implemented by the leadership team and Hatton Academies Trust are leading to improved educational provision for our children. Whilst we rightly celebrate and recognise the importance of this milestone, we remain focused, determined and ambitious in our pursuit to achieve an exceptional level of education for our children’.

Rob Hardcastle, our Chief Executive Officer

 ‘This excellent report is hugely positive about the standard of education provided by all who work at Oakway Academy. Directors and staff have prioritised long term sustainable change and it is right that Ofsted have recognised the impact of this approach. I have no doubt all who work at Oakway will continue their journey to achieve educational excellence for every pupil’.