Inspection Reports

Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
Full Inspection 19-20 October and 15-17 November 2010

A team of five inspectors spent a total of five days over the Autumn Term 2010 exploring the wide ranging education provided at Oaklands at all levels from the Early Years to Year 6. 

Among the many positive comments in the 18-page report are the 'excellent behaviour', 'excellent pastoral care' and 'outstanding personal development'.

Extracts from the Report:

  • Oaklands School provides an excellent start to the children’s education.
  • The broad curriculum, enriched by a comprehensive programme of extra-curricular activities, ensures pupils of all abilities and needs at Oaklands are successful in their learning and their personal development is outstanding.
  • Lively and enthusiastic teaching, which is effective and often excellent, supports pupils’ good progress.
  • The school meets its aim to create a learning environment with a wide range of activities in which pupils may develop their individual talents.
  • Pupils’ excellent behaviour, positive attitudes and good relationships with each other and their teachers underpin their good academic achievement.
  • The pupils’ personal development is an outstanding feature of the school and an outcome of excellent pastoral care and effective welfare arrangements.
  • The school council encourages pupils to take responsibility and to contribute to their school and local communities.
  • The governance of the school, working in harmony with the senior management, oversees the aims of the school to establish an atmosphere of warmth, friendliness and openness in which creativity, curiosity and the love of learning are fostered.
  • The provision in the Early Years is excellent with caring, involved adults who support learning and development well.
  • From the EYFS onwards, the overall quality of pupils’ learning and their achievement is good.
  • Children attain well in the Foundation Stage reaching, and in many cases exceeding, their Early Learning Goals.
  • The outstanding links with the local community and international organisations are planned to complement the curriculum and to contribute to the personal development of pupils.
  • The pupils’ achievements are promoted by lively and enthusiastic teaching, some of which is excellent.
  • The excellent pastoral care of their pupils and the examples set by staff encourage the development of self-confidence and social awareness.
  • The school, including the EYFS, is well led by a very able senior management team who seek every opportunity to make improvements in the quality of education provided for all pupils.
  • The school has excellent links with parents, guardians and the community.  Parents expressed great confidence in the quality of education provided.

Headmistress Pam Simmonds said, "We are delighted that the team of inspectors have recognised the high standard of education we offer our pupils at Oaklands. The report reflects the high quality of all aspects of the educational and pastoral provision and is a tribute to our dedicated, hardworking and talented teaching and support staff."

Click here to download the full report

 

Ofsted Inspection of Kindergarten
December 2011

This was an unannounced ‘spot’ inspection that is mandatory for schools and nurseries registered with Ofsted to take very young children.  The process should provide current and prospective parents with a useful evaluation of current practice from a snapshot as seen through independent, unbiased eyes.

Ofsted reports measure seventeen separate criteria with four judgements: ‘Inadequate’, ‘Satisfactory’, ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’.  Due to the nature of these ‘spot’ inspections and Ofsted’s remit to moderate judgements across the country, it is very rare to be awarded ‘Outstanding’ in all seventeen categories. 

There are numerous comments that support and acknowledge the many positive achievements the School has made in recent years.  Some that are particularly worth noting are as follows:

  • The quality of provision is Outstanding.
  • The setting provides high quality education and care.
  • There are excellent partnerships between the setting, parents and other agencies.
  • All staff are closely focused on making the education the best it can be.
  • Staff are highly skilled in ensuring that all children are well integrated.
  • The Lower Kindergarten has the valuable support of specialist teachers and a special needs department to ensure children make as much progress as they can.
  • Staff have an exceptional knowledge of each child's backgrounds and needs.
  • The accomodation is well suited to its purpose; the rooms are comfortable and stimulating.
  • Furniture and equipment is of high quality, is well maintained amd supports all areas of learning.
  • Partnerships with parents are exemplary.
  • Staff's calm approach and warm, playful interactions motivate young children well.
  • Older and more able children are excellently challenged.
  • Children develop a very strong sense of belonging.
  • All children thrive and are eager to learn.

This is an exemplary report hat reflects much continuing hard work by the team.  At Oaklands we strive for the best education for all our pupils throughout the age ranges, and our aim now will be to build on this achievement and take the Lower Kindergarten to an even higher phase in its continuing development.

Ofsted Inspection Kindergarten November 2011