Ofsted: The Oldham Academy North ‘lives and breathes cultural diversity and inclusivity’

The Oldham Academy North continues to be a ‘good’ school following its Ofsted inspection

The Oldham Academy North continues to be a ‘good’ school following its Ofsted inspection of March 10 and 11 this year.

Inspectors describe the academy, which is part of E-ACT multi-academy trust, as one which ‘lives and breathes cultural diversity and inclusivity’, with students of all backgrounds, faiths and differences ‘getting along well’ and ‘happy’.

Inspectors have also praised the high expectations set by new headteacher, Rachael Hallam, who was appointed in January 2020, and trust leadership.

The purpose and pace at which Ms Hallam and her leadership team have worked in order to secure students’ bright futures is picked out for particular praise.

Inspectors have also commended the academy’s curriculum, which considers students’ individual interests and backgrounds and is delivered well across the academy.

According to inspectors, most students have achieved well in their GCSE examinations over recent years, including our most disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Alongside the curriculum, inspectors made particular reference to the ‘E-ACT Passport’ which is part of the academy’s wider curriculum.

The passport provides students with a range of experiences, including residential visits and sporting opportunities, aimed at raising students’ ambitions, wellbeing and understanding of the world.

Ms Hallam said: “As the new headteacher at The Oldham Academy North, I am proud and delighted that our academy has been recognised as continuing to be good, under the new Ofsted framework.

"I am particularly pleased to see that work that we have undertaken, in a short space of time, on our curriculum and how we support our students with SEND has been recognised, and that our students’ achievements have improved as a result.

"The trust and academy leadership team are particularly proud of our cultural diversity and inclusivity and that all our students get along well and are happy; we know that our students benefit from positive relationships with their teachers and with each other.

"Our ultimate aim and mission is to ensure that all our students leave us ready to succeed in a competitive and challenging world, and we strive to make sure that we continue to do this in the next stage of our journey.”

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