Yew Tree Community School in Chadderton, Oldham, has recently undergone an inspection on 15 and 16 October 2024. The school has been rated as good in the quality of education, personal development, leadership, and management, while behaviour and attitudes have been marked as requiring improvement. The early years provision has also been rated as good. The school has maintained its previous inspection grade of good.
Pupils at Yew Tree Community School enjoy their time at this vibrant institution, receiving a warm welcome from staff each day. The early years environment is described as comfortable and safe, allowing children to settle in well. Most pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, achieve well across various subjects, meeting the high expectations set by the school. Pupils demonstrate respectful behaviour towards one another, exhibiting confidence and good manners. They find it easy to make friends, although there is a concern regarding persistent absenteeism, particularly among younger pupils, which affects their ability to fully benefit from the school's offerings.
The school provides numerous opportunities for pupils to explore their interests and talents through after-school clubs focused on fitness, dancing, and martial arts. Educational trips, such as visits to Chester for Year 4 students to learn about the Romans and workshops for Year 5 students on the Vikings, enhance the curriculum and engage pupils in their learning.
Since the last inspection, the school has made significant improvements in how the curriculum is organized, providing clear guidance for staff to deliver lessons consistently. Teachers set clear expectations for pupils' learning, enabling them to check understanding and address misconceptions effectively. However, a few subjects are still in the early stages of development, resulting in pupils not recalling key knowledge as well as they do in other areas.
Reading has seen notable improvements, with staff well-equipped to deliver the phonics program. In the early years, staff actively work to enhance children's vocabulary and spoken language. By Year 6, pupils are reading fluently and with comprehension. The school has effective systems in place to identify pupils with special educational needs, ensuring they achieve well from their starting points.
Behaviour management has improved, leading to positive attitudes towards education. Disruptions in lessons are rare, and pupils feel that staff handle any interruptions effectively, allowing them to concentrate on their learning. The school has made strides in improving attendance, particularly in key stage two, but persistent absence among younger pupils remains a challenge. The school needs to engage more effectively with parents to enhance attendance rates.
Pupils at Yew Tree Community School have a strong understanding of different cultures and religions, supported by school trips to places of worship. The personal, social, health, and economic education program equips pupils with knowledge about healthy lifestyles and responsible citizenship, preparing them for life in modern Britain.
Governors actively monitor the quality of education through meetings with subject leaders and feedback from professionals. Staff appreciate the structured curriculum schemes and streamlined marking policy, which help them focus on improving pupils' learning. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
To improve further, the school should continue developing subjects that are at an early stage of development to enhance pupils' retention of key knowledge. Additionally, addressing the attendance issues, particularly among younger pupils, is crucial for ensuring that all students can fully engage with their education. Engaging parents more effectively in this regard will be essential for the school's ongoing success.
