Oasis Academy Oldham achieves IQM Centre of Excellence status

Oasis Academy Oldham has announced that it has been awarded the prestigious IQM Inclusive School Award.

The achievement demonstrates the academy’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity.

In addition to this, the IQM report also confirms that Oasis Academy Oldham has also received the Centre of Excellence status, as they offer exceptional support to all pupils, families, and extended local community members.

Oasis Academy Oldham is based in an area of high social deprivation.

The academy is situated in one of England's most socially deprived areas with 53% of the student population being eligible for Pupil Premium (PP), the highest of all secondary schools in Oldham.

The academy has significant in-year mobility (10%) and receives a large number of international new arrivals contributing to a large population of students who have English as an Additional Language (EAL).

The academy has been recognised as being an exceptionally inclusive school with an inclusive ethos that permeates every aspect of life at the academy.

The assessor, Mr James Harris, described the academy as inspirational due to the relationship-focused, child-centred approach to education coupled with a highly aspirational curriculum and effective inclusive pedagogy alongside a wide variety of appropriate methods of support for young people and the community.

The IQM report points out that the support provided for the community is exceptional.

The Oasis Community Hub is an outstanding model of inclusive community practice, providing resources for disadvantaged families and appropriate family support.

Parents and carers value this and those families with students with additional needs highly value the support given by the school for each child.

Further highlights from the report include:

· “A great deal of thought has been put into inclusive Teaching and Learning. A highly aspirational curriculum is accessible to all students through adaptive and responsive teaching. Consistent routines and teaching approaches coupled with appropriate adaptations for students with additional needs mean that all the lessons visited, demonstrated significant student progress.”

· “The academy invests significant time and resources into transition with Senior Staff, SEND specialists and TAs all involved in visiting and working with individual students with additional needs to ensure a smooth transition to OAO.”

· “There is a strong safeguarding culture, and students feel safe within the academy. There are numerous posters, good physical security, consistent staff presence and a ‘no problem too small’ approach to reporting safeguarding incidents.

· “Technology is well used, for example, students use their iPads to scan QR codes in areas of the school to enable them to report incidents confidentially.”

· “A highlight of the academy’s inclusive provision is its PPP which incorporates a Learning Support Unit (LSU), the ‘Gateway’ for behaviour support and referrals and the ‘Bridge’ to support provision for students with issues relating to Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH). The outcomes from this provision have been exceptional, for example, the Attainment 8 for Year 11 students completing their courses through PPP in 2023 doubled from 2022, with students with SEND achieving better than their counterparts.”

· “I had the privilege of visiting lessons in English, Mathematics (including numeracy), History and Religious Education (RE) across a range of year groups. In all cases, lessons were calm and focused and students, often with a range of needs, were fully engaged.”

· “Students value their academy and are proud of the opportunities that they are offered. Individuals spoke to me about how the academy has, “done so much for us” and about teachers, “going above and beyond” to support students.”

Co-Principal Gemma Blackwood said: “Receiving the IQM Inclusive School Award and achieving Centre of Excellence status highlights just how important inclusion is at our Academy.

"We are forever grateful to our Academy staff and the wider community for their continued support and commitment to working alongside us as we continue to improve and meet the needs of every child.”

IQM Leads at Oasis Academy Oldham, Zara Obeng and George Corcoran, added: “We are ecstatic to receive the IQM Inclusive Award and be recognised as a centre of excellence. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do at Oasis Academy Oldham.

"We are so proud of this achievement and will continue to work together with the community so that they feel supported, whilst delivering exceptional education to our amazing pupils.”

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