A primary school in Coulsdon has been lavished with praise by Ofsted, with inspectors judging the effectiveness of leadership, the quality of teaching, the personal development and outcomes of pupils and the provision for early years’ children to be ‘Outstanding’, the highest possible grade.

Oasis Academy Byron on St David’s Road in Coulsdon joined the Oasis academy chain in 2012 and was being inspected for the first time as an Oasis academy. During the inspection of the academy, Ofsted observed that:

• Leaders are driven by a strong sense of moral purpose. They are determined that social disadvantage should not play any part in determining pupils’ outcomes.
• They have expertly created a culture in which all members of staff are united in the drive for excellence.
• The amount of progress pupils make between key stages 1 and 2 has placed the school in the top 2% of schools nationally for the last two years.
• Teaching is extremely well matched to pupils’ needs. Teachers’ subject knowledge allows them to plan inspiring, relevant and challenging activities. Pupils get the support they need to be successful. Throughout the school, pupils get along amicably. They are polite, caring and proud to belong to their school community.

Principal at Oasis Academy Byron, Clare Wingrave, and her leadership team have been credited for creating an environment at the school in which the necessity to continuously concentrate on pupils’ progress is key.

Commenting on the Ofsted report, Principal Clare Wingrave says “At Oasis Academy Byron, we are dedicated to our children and local community who deserve a first class education that will enable them to be all that they want to be. We are uncompromising in raising our pupils’ expectations, making it clear that there is no limit to their ambition or what the can achieve.”

“This fantastic report is nothing short of what the staff and pupils deserve, and they deserve the credit. Our teachers and teaching assistants are committed professionals, dedicated to their jobs to help every child flourish and reach their full potential and I am extremely grateful for all of their hard work. Their enthusiasm and expertise inspire our pupils not only to take responsibility for their own learning but also to develop into respectful, confident and proactive members of their community.”

“Oasis Academy Byron is nothing without the children. They turn up to school each day eager to learn, participate and contribute and because of that they are making terrific progress. With the support of their parents, they are building firm foundations for the rest of their education, and leave us well prepared for secondary school.”

“Following the inspection the Academy will go forward with confidence, eager to build on what we have achieved so far. There will of course be no complacency as we continue to support our pupils to learn and grow together.”

The report highlights the progress achieved by pupils across the school. Over the last three years the gap between the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and others nationally has been closed as a result of the school’s highly effective work to promote high achievement for all pupils. Children with special educational needs or disability make even greater progress than their peers thanks to the quality of the support they receive being extremely high.

Oasis Academy Byron is an inclusive primary school for children aged between 4 and 11, committed to delivering first class education and playing an active role in the local community.

Oasis was founded in 1985 and exists to help people lead full lives through strengthening communities. Currently working in 10 countries across the world, Oasis is involved in projects as diverse as helping people trapped in poverty in India to pioneering education in the UK. Through its educational trust, Oasis Community Learning, Oasis is one of the largest providers of academies in the UK, currently responsible for 47 primary and secondary academies across the country. 60% of OCL’s academies are judged to be ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding.’

A full copy for the report can be accessed through the academy website: http://www.oasisacademybyron.org/content/about-us- 23