At Oasis Academy Coulsdon “all, including parents, are aiming for the same thing” report Ofsted inspectors. During the nearly seven years of its existence, Oasis Academy Coulsdon has been working towards becoming a school for the local community, and after its recent visit from HMI inspectors, Ofsted have judged that “community cohesion is exemplary”, both in and outside of the Academy, and this is supported by the “increasing number of students wanting to join the Academy in Year 7” 

The inspectors visited the Academy on 4^th and 5^th March and following a rigorous inspection process they graded the Academy as ‘Good’ in all four categories: leadership and management, behaviour and safety, quality of teaching, and student achievement.

Inspectors reported that there is a “strong community that promotes tolerance, understanding, trust and respect for difference” at the Academy. From meetings with students and staff during their visit they confirmed that there is a “strong sense of belonging to a community” and that students say they are “proud of their school” and “they have always felt completely safe at school”.

Principal, Andy Booth paid tribute to his team of staff “The commitment of the team of staff over the past seven years has been amazing and I am very proud to be working alongside so many talented and dedicated professionals.  When we opened in 2008, our aim was to raise aspirations, improve outcomes for students, restore confidence in the school so that it became the local school of choice and this Report confirms that we are fulfilling all our promises.”

The Inspection team identified many strengths of the Academy and praised the Principal, Andy Booth, for his clear vision and ambition.  Teaching was found to be ‘good and improving strongly’ with teachers planning activities carefully and explaining them well.  Because students are taught well, they make good progress in English, Mathematics and other subjects; achievement in all key figures are set to rise in 2015. The Academy curriculum is good with students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding described as excellent.  The good progress made by students with autism who attend the enhanced learning provision at the Academy was also identified as a strength as was the support and challenge provided by the Academy Councillors and the sponsoring trust, Oasis Community Learning.

Andy Yarrow, Oasis Regional Academies Director for London and the South East, said “I am absolutely delighted that Oasis Academy Coulsdon has received such a positive Ofsted inspection judgement. I am well aware of the immense amount of hard work that has taken place at the Academy over recent years to raise standards and secure such a well-deserved     grading. Congratulations to the Academy’s Principal, Leadership Team, staff and students. Onwards and upwards!”

Inspectors said that “the school’s sponsoring trust is providing good support for the school” and has “high expectations”.

Students were praised in the report on their good behaviour and that they are “friendly and courteous towards one another”. Inspectors also commented that “students have positive attitudes to their learning” and are “engaged and enjoy their work”. Inspectors acknowledged that this was due to the development of an excellent curriculum at the Academy and that students are “taught well”, with judgements of lesson observations confirming that teaching is ‘good’ and “some is outstanding”.

“The quality of achievement is good”. The Academy encourages learners to be creative and “adopt an enquiring approach to their learning” which has in turn contributed to the success of Pupil Premium students and those from minority groups “making good progress in line with their peers”.

In order for the Academy to fulfil the Principal’s ambition of becoming outstanding “we need to focus on stretching the most able of our students and continue to develop on the strong curriculum we are building” said Andy Booth. “Diverse and engaging lessons will nurture our young people’s love of learning and ensure that all students at our Academy achieve their full potential”.