Sheffield school in special measures is '˜improving'

Staff and students at Oasis Academy Fir Vale primary school received positive news as they broke up for the summer, from Ofsted inspectors.

The school is seen to be taking effective action and was praised by inspectors for the lift in standards.

In a letter addressed to the principal, Ofsted noted that the school had developed a ‘fit for purpose’ improvement plan and praised the Academy’s leaders’ focus on improving pupils’ personal development, behaviour and attendance, which has transformed the school’s culture and ethos.

The staff team has implemented changes together, with support from parents, and pupils are seen to have a positive attitude towards learning that is improving the rate at which they make progress.

Good behaviour by pupils is being more consistently rewarded and the consequences of poor behaviour have been made clear. The Academy has installed an outdoor gardening classroom to aid the learning of children who struggle with a traditional classroom environment, while the children enjoyed new experiences on trips to The Deep and to London.

Helen Round, Principal of Oasis Academy Fir Vale said: “Every member of the staff team is 100 per cent committed to ensuring that young people have the best possible start in life. We are determined to do everything it takes to ensure the Academy is a world class learning environment which helps each child reach their potential, develop their character and play an active role in their community.”

There is still work to do to bring all chldren’s progress up to standard, however, noted Ofsted. The strongest outcomes are seen in the early years, as the work of the early years leader makes a difference to standards across the setting.