Oak View School

Overview

Oak View School is a special academy where pupils with complex needs thrive in a supportive environment. Leaders have implemented a curriculum centred on individual capabilities, fostering confidence and independence from early years through to the sixth form. The school is praised for its “happy, productive atmosphere” and the high regard pupils hold for their education.

Strengths

• Staff provide care with “dignity and respect,” helping pupils manage emotions and become “more assured communicators.”
• Leaders have designed a curriculum matched to pupils’ needs, ensuring “learners at the centre of learning” and enabling many to achieve well.
• Teachers effectively use a new phonics programme and “skilful storytelling” to develop reading skills and engagement with books.
• Pupils gain valuable life experience through “special jobs” such as recycling and helping on local allotments, preparing them for adulthood.
• The school maintains a “robust safeguarding culture” with diligent oversight from the trust and governors.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure more accomplished readers receive “precise support” to make stronger progress in reading.
• The physical education offer requires further development to provide a “more structured PE curriculum” for pupils ready to advance their skills.
• Staff need to be “swift to spot” when pupils lose focus, ensuring they are refocused quickly to maintain engagement in learning.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with staff trained to identify risks and report concerns appropriately.