Following the first visit by Ofsted to Oldfield School in Bath in five years, inspectors say it continues to keep up the standards identified in 2020.
Oldfield School in Bath | Image © Google Street View / Google 2023
Ofsted previously judged the secondary school in Kelston Road to be Good but since last September, schools have not been awarded an overall effectiveness grade by the education regulator.
The school is the only one in the Oldfield School single academy trust. It has 1,280 pupils, of which 166 are in the sixth form.
In the last 18 months there have been some changes to the leadership team, including new headteacher Andy Greenhough, who started in the role in September 2023.
The inspectors visited in January and have this week published their report.
They say that the school community has recently “re-set” the school values and ‘kindness’ has been a particular focus.
“As a result, pupils rightly describe a culture of care and compassion in their school. Pupils appreciate the ways in which staff listen to and support them. They are confident that if they have a concern, staff help them.”
The report highlights that the school has high expectations for pupils to achieve well: “For example, the ‘super curriculum’ helps pupils to build on their learning.
“The school has further raised their expectations of pupil conduct. This led to an increase in sanctions for a few pupils, but this is now reducing. Pupils behave well. They are polite and courteous.”
The number of students in the sixth form has grown and they actively contribute to being part of the wider school community. Many learn to teach English as an additional language, supporting and mentoring younger pupils for whom English is not their first language.
Many pupils attend the school council and contribute to decisions that improve the experience of school for all.
A higher-than-average number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) attend the school which has a specialist resource base to support those with autism spectrum disorder.
The report says: “The school provides support and adaptation to help pupils with SEND achieve exceptionally well. It is effective in identifying the needs of pupils and ensuring the right actions meet their needs.
“Pupils and parents enthuse about the provision. Many pupils with SEND successfully continue their studies in the sixth form.”
There is said to be “robust” support and tracking in place for checking how well pupils attend school.
The programme for personal development means pupils are well prepared as they grow to become responsible and active citizens.
The inspectors have flagged up two areas that need improvement; at times, teachers do not sufficiently check on how well pupils understand their learning, and the school’s actions to improve literacy through the curriculum is not implemented well in a few subjects.
