Hob Moor Oaks Academy

Overview

Hob Moor Oaks Academy continues to be a good school, providing high-quality provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders ensure pupils achieve well through an ambitious, well-structured curriculum that is carefully adapted to meet individual needs and support personal development.

Strengths

• Staff have "high expectations" and are well trained, ensuring pupils benefit from "high-quality provision" including specialist resources like a sensory room and therapy pool.
• Reading is "highly prioritised," with a "high-quality reading curriculum" led by passionate staff who ensure pupils enjoy books and develop their abilities.
• The school promotes inclusion effectively, with SEND "celebrated" and pupils mixing with those from the shared mainstream academy during breaks.
• Pupils behave well, feel safe, and are supported by caring staff; bullying is not an issue, and staff know how to manage behaviour effectively.
• Governance is effective, with governors who "support and challenge leaders" and encourage the use of external support to enhance provision.

Areas to improve

• In some lessons, activities and resources "distract pupils from their learning," interrupting focus; leaders should enhance curriculum plans to ensure activities support subject knowledge.
• Staff occasionally "miss opportunities to embed learning and revisit new knowledge"; leaders should develop plans to identify opportunities to reinforce learning throughout the school day.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with robust systems, secure employment checks, and comprehensive records demonstrating tenacity in supporting vulnerable pupils.