The Oaks Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an inadequate school The school opened in January 2016, as part of the Crewe Multi Academy Trust. Leaders, including trustees, have failed to secure an acceptable standard of education at the school. Leaders at all levels, including trustees, do not demonstrate the capacity to secure the improvements required.

They have an overgenerous view of the school's effectiveness. Improvement plans, and external support, lack the impact urgently required. Pupils' examination results in 2017 and 2018 were almost a grade lower than the average for pupils with similar starting points nationally.

The progress of current pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, is wea...k, including in English, mathematics and science. The implementation of the curriculum too often fails to secure pupils' effective learning. Leaders are not effective in managing the pupil premium funding or Year 7 catch-up funding.

Most pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not taught well. Overall, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment is weak. Too often, teachers fail to set work that matches pupils' needs.

They do not take sufficient account of what pupils can already do or provide opportunities for them to build upon this with depth and fluency. Typically, pupils' literacy skills are weak. Pupils are not provided with sufficient opportunities to develop their oracy and writing.

As a result, they struggle to make good progress. Teachers do not have high enough expectations of pupils' work. Too often pupils' work lacks care and precision.

Too many pupils have poor attitudes to learning. They lose concentration, especially when the work they are set is too easy or too hard, leading to disruptive behaviour in lessons. Pupils' conduct around school varies.

It is at its weakest between lessons. Exclusions from school due to poor behaviour are high Pupils' attendance is poor and persistent absenteeism is currently increasing. The school has the following strengths Leadership of art and sport is good.

Pupils learn effectively in these subjects. Pupils who have an education, health and care plan (EHC) plan are well supported. Safeguarding is effective.

Pupils say that they are well cared for and safe at school. Their differences are valued.

Information about this school

The Oaks Academy opened in January 2016.

It was the first and, to date, only school to join the Crewe Multi Academy Trust, which is sponsored by Cheshire College – South and West. Governance is delivered through a board of trustees and a local governing body. The board of trustees holds the statutory governance functions.

The Oaks Academy is a smaller-than-average-sized secondary school. The number of pupils on the school's roll has decreased over time. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is above the national average. The proportion of girls at the school is above the national average. The school uses alternative provision for a small number of pupils at Changing Education.