A NORTH Bristol primary school was the first in the city to be inspected under the new Ofsted framework – and it has emerged with flying colours.
Oasis Academy Bank Leaze, in Lawrence Weston, was found to be strong in four of the seven inspection categories and to be meeting standards in the other three as well as for safeguarding.
The school, for children aged two to 11, was given the high rating for its leadership and governance, its inclusive ethos, children’s academic achievement and their personal development and wellbeing.
The team of three inspectors visited Bank Leaze – described by pupils as “the blue school on the hill” – in November. They used the new framework developed by the watchdog with the aims of improving fairness and consistency, reducing pressure on staff and improving information for parents.
There is no overall judgement but a “traffic light” system for the seven categories. The school’s report was all green, with attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching and early years graded as meeting expected standards.
It said: “Pupils enjoy coming to this highly inclusive and welcoming school.”
The inspectors noted that children at the 214-pupil school, more than half of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds, achieved well, with results in national tests above national averages.
“Leaders and trustees are highly ambitious for the school and the community it serves. They make decisions that are in the very best interests of pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged. Pupils thrive as a result.
“The support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those in receipt of pupil premium funding is a significant strength.” The inspectors highlighted the strong commitment to children’s personal development, underpinned by the Oasis Trust’s ‘Nine Habits’. They praised the wide range of clubs and acitivites for children and the excellent pastoral care.
“The school promotes a positive and respectful culture. This supports pupils to feel happy and safe,” the report said.
The school’s principal, Amelia Nelson, said: “We are delighted that Ofsted has recognised our academy as meeting a strong standard in many areas, under its new inspection framework. The report highlights our pupils’ strong achievement in reading, writing and maths, our focus on personal development, and our unwavering commitment to inclusion. This success reflects the dedication and passion of our staff, who create a warm, nurturing environment where every child can thrive. We are incredibly proud of our pupils for their compassion, resilience and love of learning.
“We remain focused on enriching our curriculum and extending opportunities. Thank you to our families, the Oasis Trust and our community partners for their continued support – together, we’re building brighter futures.”