A struggling Salford school has managed to reverse its fortunes in a recent inspection by education regulators.
Oasis MediaCityUK Academy on Trafford Road in Ordsall was marked down as ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted in July 2014, but when inspectors returned in early June 2016 they found wholesale changes had been implemented – enough to give the school a prized ‘Good’ rating.
The Academy was placed under special measures two years ago after inspectors uncovered a poor learning environment and standards of teaching.
Since then, Principal Fiona O’Sullivan has overseen a staff overhaul.
Nearly four out of every five teachers currently at Oasis joined the school since the 2014 inspection.
But staffing is now stable and there are no vacancies or temping teachers, say Ofsted.
With just 477 pupils on roll, Oasis MediaCityUK is smaller than average for a secondary school.
There is still some way to go before the school can be called outstanding.
Ofsted note that: “A few younger pupils lack the self-discipline needed to get the most from lessons.
“These pupils have not fully accepted the school’s positive culture.”
Read: Damning Ofsted report puts OasisMediaCityUK in special measures
She said: “It is highly unusual for a school to be removed from special measures and be judged ‘good’ straight away which reflects the rapid rate of progress made over the last two years.
“I am very proud that the hard work of our staff, students, sponsor and partners has made this remarkable achievement possible.
“As well as praising the quality of teaching and learning, leadership and management and good behaviour, I am particularly pleased that inspectors have found that the ‘spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness is a strength of the school’ and that we have created a ‘highly supportive, harmonious community where tolerance and understanding of other people are the norm.’
The academy is now labelled as ‘Good’ in areas such as effectiveness of leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; and personal development, behaviour and welfare.
The report concludes: “Behaviour has improved. Pupils typically behave well and try hard in lessons. Pupils respect each other and get on well together around school.”
