Oakleigh School & Acorn Assessment Centre

Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Oakleigh School and Acorn Assessment Centre on 12 June 2019, following its previous outstanding judgment in April 2015. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to provide an outstanding quality of education. The leadership team, including the new headteacher and deputy, has effectively maintained high standards and is committed to meeting the individual needs of each pupil. The school has developed a specific approach to communication, utilizing sign, symbol, and language to support pupils, which has led to a reduction in behavioral issues. Safeguarding measures are robust, with leaders ensuring that all arrangements are fit for purpose and that staff receive regular training. Parents express confidence in the safety of their children at the school. The inspection focused on the impact of middle leaders on pupil behavior and attitudes towards learning, as well as the effectiveness of leaders in improving attendance and the assessment and curriculum. Middle leaders provide strong support to teachers, particularly in managing behavior, resulting in few instances of challenging behavior. The school has effective systems for tracking attendance and follows up on absences, including home visits by the Family Support Team, which has fostered positive relationships with families. The school is redeveloping its curriculum to better respond to individual pupil needs, and assessment processes are thorough, informing future teaching and parent feedback. While curriculum implementation is generally well executed, there are opportunities for teaching assistants to enhance their support for pupil learning. The inspection identified next steps for the school, including further development of the support provided by teaching assistants in curriculum implementation. The findings will be shared with the governing body and relevant authorities, and the letter will be published on the Ofsted website.