Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Oakfield Primary and Moderate Learning Difficulties Resource Provision on 12 February 2019. The school has maintained its good quality of education since the last inspection in September 2011. The leadership team, led by Mrs. Heather Farrell and the deputy headteacher, demonstrates effective and focused leadership with high ambitions for the school. They have garnered strong support from staff, parents, and carers, contributing to the school’s ongoing progress. Pupils exhibit polite behavior and warmly welcome visitors. Their conduct in class and around the school is consistently good, benefiting from well-resourced outdoor areas during break times. The school’s reward system for good work and behavior is positively received by pupils, who enjoy earning merit points and team points. They also show care for others, participating in charitable activities, such as fundraising for homeless support.
Pupils display positive attitudes towards learning, collaborating well and taking pride in their work. Strong relationships between staff and pupils enhance the learning environment. Educational visits, like the trip to Jodrell Bank Observatory, enrich the curriculum, which is further supported by a variety of extracurricular clubs. The leadership has effectively addressed previous areas for improvement, providing a rich and engaging curriculum that includes diverse experiences. Pupils are clear about their learning objectives, particularly in the resource base, where they actively engage in reviewing their individual education, health, and care plans.
The school’s improvement planning is rigorous and reflects an accurate understanding of its strengths and areas needing development. The partnership with the Enquire Learning Trust has significantly contributed to the school’s improvement, allowing staff to learn from best practices and enhancing professional development opportunities. Governors appreciate the trust's support, which enables them to focus on improving educational outcomes.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with a strong culture established within the school. Regular safeguarding training ensures that staff are well-prepared to address any concerns regarding pupil welfare. Leaders collaborate with external agencies to address safeguarding issues promptly. Appropriate checks are conducted on staff and visitors to ensure their suitability to work with children, and detailed records are maintained.
The inspection focused on key areas, including the effectiveness of reading instruction in key stage two. Despite previous challenges in reading outcomes, the school has taken decisive action to enhance reading instruction, promoting a culture of reading throughout the school. The curriculum integrates books into various subjects, fostering comprehension skills among pupils. While progress is evident, further work is needed to ensure improvements are fully embedded.
Phonics instruction has also been a focus, with strong leadership ensuring a consistent approach among staff. Regular assessments track pupil progress, and additional support is provided for those facing challenges. The quality of phonics teaching is improving, with a rising proportion of pupils meeting expected standards.
The resource provision for pupils with moderate learning difficulties is a notable strength of the school. Parents express high satisfaction with the provision, which is recognized as exemplary by the trust. Pupils in the resource provision receive personalized attention, enabling them to make significant progress from their starting points. They are well-integrated into the broader school community, participating in various activities alongside their peers, reflecting the school’s commitment to inclusivity. The next steps for the school include continuing to enhance reading skills to align outcomes with those in writing and mathematics.
