Oakwood Park Grammar School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher and his senior team demonstrate clarity of purpose, warmth and a determination to ensure the best possible outcomes for pupils. Pupils' attainment in most subjects at key stage 4 is typically well above national averages.

Pupils' progress from their starting points is broadly average because too few of the most able pupils achieve the highest grades in their examinations. Teaching is good overall and continues to improve. Teachers plan challenging activities and ask probing questions that make pupils think.

However, there are inconsistencies in the quality of teaching. As a result, some pupils do not make the progress of w...hich they are capable. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and those who are disadvantaged, are well cared for and achieve increasingly well because additional funding is used appropriately.

Pupils are safe and have been taught how to keep themselves safe from a range of risks. All staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and know what to do if they are concerned about a child. Pupils are exceptionally well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Pupils are tolerant, thoughtful and have a keen appreciation of the values of democracy within a diverse society. Leaders ensure that pupils benefit from outstanding opportunities to develop their attitudes, personal interests and leadership skills. Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is excellent.

Pupils are polite and take great pride in their school, their appearance and their work. Students in the sixth form make exceptionally strong progress because their teachers provide them with consistently high levels of challenge. Students also play a full role in the life of the school and receive excellent advice on their next steps.

Governors have an accurate view of the strengths and weaknesses of the school. They hold the headteacher and his team stringently to account for pupils' outcomes. Leaders at all levels have high expectations.

However, they do not always evaluate the impact of their actions precisely enough.

Information about this school

Oakwood Park Grammar School is a slightly larger-than-average selective school that admits boys in Years 7 to 11 and both boys and girls in the sixth form. The school converted to academy status as a single academy trust in February 2012.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged is lower than that found nationally. No pupils attend alternative provision.