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Ofsted report praises ‘substantial gains’ made by Southampton school

7:10am Wednesday 16th December 2009 in


A SCHOOLS’ watchdog has praised a Southampton academy for improving its standards in its first year.

A report by Oftsed said there was an “over-riding picture of improvement” at Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill, which formed from the merger of Millbrook Community School and Oaklands Community School.

Under the new framework for school inspections, the 793-pupil academy was the focus of a two-week inspection aimed at schools previously in special measures.

Inspectors noted: “The impact of the academy’s strategies and provision can be seen in the improving standards, even though they remain low.”

The report said “substantial gains” were made in some areas including the number of students gaining five GCSEs at A to C grade, a figure which rose to 52 per cent this year.

Last year Millbrook Community School recorded a 31 per cent pass rate for A to C grades while Oaklands Community School scored 50 per cent.

The report highlighted “strong performances” in media, art, drama, music, sport and health and social care.

Inspectors agreed with the academy’s own admission that there are not yet enough consistently good quality lessons but noted the “enthusiasm and energy of the staff . . . produces an equally strong response in the students, and some make exceptional strides in their learning”.

The report said some students, especially those with special educational needs or disabilities, had made “good progress and in some instances made exceptional gains in their learning”.

The inspectors said they saw “good and exemplary behaviour in lessons and during assembly” and noted there had been a “marked reduction of exclusions this term”.

Principal Ian Golding was praised for his “skilful leadership, clear vision and direction” in the face of “considerable challenges” during the academy’s first year.

Areas for improvement included attendance levels which inspectors noted were “improving” despite being below national averages.

Inspectors said teaching staff should have “a clearer focus on the learning of individuals” in lessons.

Mr Golding said: “I am delighted with the report. It is the first concrete judgement about the improvements we are making.

“It is very gratifying to go through two weeks of inspection and come out with a great report.

“It is a big credit to the staff who work very hard to bring about change as well as being a huge compliment to the students.”

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Comments(22)

Condor Man says...
8:33am Wed 16 Dec 09

it's hardly surprising that a body like Oasis, with a proven track record in delivering excellent educational services, has done better than Southampton LEA- which doesn't.

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Lone Ranger says...
10:58am Wed 16 Dec 09

A report by Oftsed said there was an “over-riding picture of improvement” at Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill, which formed from the merger of Millbrook Community School and Oaklands Community School.
.
Does this mean that the usual "knockers" of the Oasis Acadamy may just be eating a little "humble pie"...but the i doubt it!

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housewife says...
11:02am Wed 16 Dec 09

Did OFSTED have any thing to say about discipline issues such as trashing local houses doors and windows during school time?

Why do academies like Oasis, 99% funded by the taxpayer, not have to publish full school profile results like other state funded schools?

What do they have to hide?

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Ken Hutchinson says...
11:37am Wed 16 Dec 09

Hopefully standards will continue to rise for the sake of the children who genuinely want to learn and who shouldn't be held back due to problems with children who lack self motivation coupled with a lack of direction from their parents. Principal's such as Ian Golding should receive as much support as possible in order for the good work to continue and allow children to thrive regardless of Postcode.

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Lone Ranger says...
11:52am Wed 16 Dec 09

housewife wrote:
Did OFSTED have any thing to say about discipline issues such as trashing local houses doors and windows during school time? Why do academies like Oasis, 99% funded by the taxpayer, not have to publish full school profile results like other state funded schools? What do they have to hide?
Unlike you they would have put it into perspective and not generalised. Not all kids go around trashing property and there is an element of this mentality in nearly every school not just Lordshill.
.
Did you know its just as easy to praise as complain. Just try and look for the good things that are done in our schools by the vast majority of pupils.

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A-concerned-Mum says...
12:03pm Wed 16 Dec 09

Its a pity that the Mayfield site isnt doing as well. I have a child there with special educational needs (autism) and is not getting the help that is needed to remain in a mainstream secondary school. My child is constantly bullied by other children, we have had ripped uniform, tie done up so tight it nearly choked and then snapped, and books taken from bag and thrown into mud - but according to the academy there isnt a bullying problem there. My childs levels have dropped by 3 sub levels, have gone from a bright happy child to a withdrawn quiet one. Yet, as I asked for a statement so I could get them the help needed I was turned down as they have spent their senco budget for this year! I cant see how people can praise these places when they are hiding the truth of what really goes on. Security word risk-hurt

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Ken Hutchinson says...
12:07pm Wed 16 Dec 09

A-concerned-Mum wrote:
Its a pity that the Mayfield site isnt doing as well. I have a child there with special educational needs (autism) and is not getting the help that is needed to remain in a mainstream secondary school. My child is constantly bullied by other children, we have had ripped uniform, tie done up so tight it nearly choked and then snapped, and books taken from bag and thrown into mud - but according to the academy there isnt a bullying problem there. My childs levels have dropped by 3 sub levels, have gone from a bright happy child to a withdrawn quiet one. Yet, as I asked for a statement so I could get them the help needed I was turned down as they have spent their senco budget for this year! I cant see how people can praise these places when they are hiding the truth of what really goes on. Security word risk-hurt
If the above is true why on earth don't you take some Parental responsibility and move your child to an alternative school rather than subject him/her to such appalling treatment?

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Condor Man says...
1:27pm Wed 16 Dec 09

A-concerned-Mum wrote:
Its a pity that the Mayfield site isnt doing as well. I have a child there with special educational needs (autism) and is not getting the help that is needed to remain in a mainstream secondary school. My child is constantly bullied by other children, we have had ripped uniform, tie done up so tight it nearly choked and then snapped, and books taken from bag and thrown into mud - but according to the academy there isnt a bullying problem there. My childs levels have dropped by 3 sub levels, have gone from a bright happy child to a withdrawn quiet one. Yet, as I asked for a statement so I could get them the help needed I was turned down as they have spent their senco budget for this year! I cant see how people can praise these places when they are hiding the truth of what really goes on. Security word risk-hurt
I can empathise, I remember the treatment of autistic kids was not good BUT it was not the fault of the school but the other kids. Education is a postcode lottery at the end of the day, the better the area you live the better the school by virtue of wealth ironing out a lot of problems - that doesn't happen in sink schools

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Carpe Diem says...
1:28pm Wed 16 Dec 09

The report highlighted “strong performances” in media, art, drama, music, sport and health and social care.

All the really useful subjects then.

Please stop using the term Student when referring to school Pupils. Sorry to be pedantic, but they are not Students.

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wilson castaway says...
1:38pm Wed 16 Dec 09

Ken Hutchinson wrote:
A-concerned-Mum wrote: Its a pity that the Mayfield site isnt doing as well. I have a child there with special educational needs (autism) and is not getting the help that is needed to remain in a mainstream secondary school. My child is constantly bullied by other children, we have had ripped uniform, tie done up so tight it nearly choked and then snapped, and books taken from bag and thrown into mud - but according to the academy there isnt a bullying problem there. My childs levels have dropped by 3 sub levels, have gone from a bright happy child to a withdrawn quiet one. Yet, as I asked for a statement so I could get them the help needed I was turned down as they have spent their senco budget for this year! I cant see how people can praise these places when they are hiding the truth of what really goes on. Security word risk-hurt
If the above is true why on earth don't you take some Parental responsibility and move your child to an alternative school rather than subject him/her to such appalling treatment?
Many schools for Autistic children are full, some only except children under 11 and many have closed down thats why.My best friends son has autism and now he is over 18 , apart from residential care there is no where for him to go in this county so I can totaly understand your situation.You also need to funding, transport, support,etc,etc its not as easy as it sounds and if you do remove your child form school you could face prosecution, from my friends experience its a complete nightmare to get any support for autistic children.You shouldnt be so harsh.

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A-concerned-Mum says...
1:46pm Wed 16 Dec 09

Ken> I would but the only schools with room are Chamberlayne and Woodlands neither of which have the recources to accomodate mychild. With a statement my child could go to aspecialist school which would cater for our needs. I could home tutor but then I would have to give up my job and that wouldnt benefit my child at all.
Condorman > it is the schools fault when they refuse to hold basic disability awareness programs within their curriculum and protect my child and make sure they are safe from the children they KNOW to be targeting my child. Another mum has had her child filmed by another bully and it placed on you tube being very derogatory as the child they filmed has cerebal palsy (have permission to mention this). This was filmed in school and during a lesson. If my child had ADHD they would get all the help they can get but as they have a *silent* problem they get left behind...
sorry for the rant but in this day and age it should just not be happening!

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Ken Hutchinson says...
1:52pm Wed 16 Dec 09

Rubbish. It is not illegal to withdraw your child and home educate until a place becomes available at a suitable alternative - I understand this is not an easy option, but I can categorically state that if my child was being consistently bullied without any form of intervention I would have him out of there. If individuals valued their childrens' developmental welfare over and above inconvenience they would do the same.

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wilson castaway says...
2:26pm Wed 16 Dec 09

You are right it is not illegal to remove a child form school, but it does raise concerns with social services, its a vicious circle, there just isnt the help out there .There is a scale from very mild to very severe forms of autism and with aspergers also, care packages have to be suited to each child...its costly.. If my child was being bullied I would probaly do the same but I work evenings so I am home daytime, and others are not as fortunate as me.You are presuming that 'concerned mum' just leaves her child to defend themselves as its convinient for her.Im sure this is not the case.

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Ken Hutchinson says...
2:34pm Wed 16 Dec 09

It just amazes me that people expect Schools to make their child a priority even though they themselves do not extend the same courtesy!

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wilson castaway says...
2:46pm Wed 16 Dec 09

If there were more schools for the 11-16 age gap for autistic kids then there probaly wouldn't be a problem, unfortunately the school is unwilling to work with 'concerned mum' as she previously stated.I can imagine she feels she is banging her head against a brick wall.Instead of bashing her with words of what she should of/could of done, offer sympathy, advice , but dont judge.
Autistic kids need a little more help than others, its not to much to ask that a school keeps a child safe.

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Ken Hutchinson says...
2:58pm Wed 16 Dec 09

You're absolutely correct - any organisation to which you entrust your childs welfare has a responsibility to keep them safe, when they fail to do so a Parent/s must not put their child in that situation on a daily basis. My advice would be to take some proper action rather than complain on fora such as these.

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A-concerned-Mum says...
3:16pm Wed 16 Dec 09

I have taken appropriate action and made a complaint higher up - cant discuss it as it is ongoing. If I had a choice then I would take my child out if it were feasable and I have done everything in my powers to protect my child. My child can not go out of the building at break and lunch time, I collect direct from school. I dont expect my child to get preferrential treatment at all, I expect the school to actually DO something about it as in deal with the problem rather than brush it under the carpet. This is my beef. Did you really think I would just sit back and let it all happen? Do you really think I like watching my child being distressed day in and day out? I am just trying to highlight EXACTLY what oasis academies are like. They both have behaviour issues that are being hidden for the sake of league tables and face.
Until you have a child in that situation whether with SEN or not its hard for some to understand I know, but please dont slate me for bringing up a major flaw in their 'perfect for the public' persona

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wilson castaway says...
5:00pm Wed 16 Dec 09

I think Ken just likes to have the last word, well done to you 'concerned mum' I had given up trying with that one, I wish you all the luck with your situation.
Funnily, Ken, you stated: ' My advice would be to take some proper action rather than COMPLAIN ON FORA SUCH AS THESE' which you seem to spend you whole time doing.

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Condor Man says...
5:46pm Wed 16 Dec 09

Concerned mum, if you don't think the school's up to scratch contact the Rev Steve Chalke who runs Oasis.

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A-concerned-Mum says...
6:13pm Wed 16 Dec 09

Condor Man > guess who I wrote a 6 page letter to? :)

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housewife says...
11:32am Thu 17 Dec 09

The school is funded by the taxpayer.
Why does it not have to publish its results?
http://schoolsfinder
.direct.gov.uk/85269
05/school-profile/

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housewife says...
11:38am Thu 17 Dec 09

For that matter, we only have the Head's word that Ofsted are happy.
Nothing on the Ofsted website confirms that.
Come on Echo, do not just reprint a press release. INVESTIGATE.

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WELL DONE: Head teacher Ian Golding with pupils from Oasis Academy Lordshill. Echo picture by Paul Collins. Order no: 9630935 WELL DONE: Head teacher Ian Golding with pupils from Oasis Academy Lordshill. Echo picture by Paul Collins. Order no: 9630935

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