The Olive School, Preston

Inspection of a school judged outstanding for overall effectiveness before September 2024: The Olive School, Preston Vicarage Lane, Preston PR2 8DW

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Outcome

The Olive School, Preston has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The principal of this school is Parveen Yusuf. This school is part of Star Academies, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer (CEO), Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Kamruddin Kothia OBE DL.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at this exceptional school. They live up to the school’s extremely high expectations for their achievements and behaviour. Pupils, their parents and carers, and staff are hugely proud to be part of this warm and welcoming community.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils, and children in the early years, engage in their learning with enthusiasm and determination. They are immensely proud of their achievements. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), produce work of an incredibly high standard. The excellent outcomes in national assessments for pupils reflect the school’s determination to help every pupil reach their potential.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. This starts in the early years where children settle quickly and follow the clear routines that are in place. Pupils are polite to each other, to staff and to visitors. They know that staff will help them if they have any worries or concerns. This helps pupils to feel happy, safe and flourish in their learning.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school’s values shine through the impressive opportunities that it provides for pupils. Pupils enjoy visits to climbing venues and participating in residential trips, for example. Pupils know the importance of helping others. They regularly take part in events that support local charities. 3 and 4 December 2024

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has thoughtfully planned and structured its curriculum. It clearly outlines the key knowledge and skills that pupils will learn. This approach helps pupils build a strong foundation for their future learning. Staff deeply understand how to teach and deliver the curriculum effectively. They use their expertise to make lessons engaging and impactful.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Staff routinely check pupils’ understanding and quickly address any misconceptions. Frequent practice in reviewing and recalling information helps children to remember what they have learned and strengthens their understanding over time. As a result, pupils deepen their knowledge and achieve outcomes in national tests and assessments which exceed the national average. They leave the school fully prepared for secondary education.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has high aspirations for pupils with SEND. Staff quickly identify pupils’ individual needs and provide tailored support to ensure that they can access learning and the full curriculum. Staff adapt lessons and activities to meet the needs of pupils with SEND. They use information from support plans to personalise pupils’ learning. This focused approach allows pupils with SEND to make excellent progress through the curriculum from their individual starting points.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school prioritises the teaching of reading. It provides thorough training for all staff, who deliver the phonics programme consistently and skilfully. Staff carefully select books that match the sounds that pupils learn. They quickly support pupils who struggle with reading, helping them to develop fluency and accuracy. Pupils frequently visit the school’s welcoming library, where they eagerly choose books to read. They enjoy reading a variety of genres and authors and they enthusiastically discuss the books they have read. In the Reception Year, adults introduce children to a rich variety of vocabulary through stories, songs and poetry.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Pupils consistently demonstrate excellent behaviour. They treat one another with kindness and respect. Pupils are focused, attentive and try hard in the classroom. Staff monitor attendance closely and provide effective support when concerns arise, ensuring that pupils attend regularly.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school offers pupils a wide range of enriching experiences to support their personal growth. Staff help pupils understand fundamental British values and their significance in daily life, such as learning how elections work. This approach ensures that pupils are well- prepared for life in modern Britain. Staff teach pupils how to stay safe both online and in the wider world. Pupils also learn about different cultures and religions, developing an appreciation for diversity. Educational visits and extra-curricular activities encourage pupils to try new things and build their resilience.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school invests heavily in staff training and well-being. It creates a positive work environment. As a result, staff feel valued and proud to work at the school. The local governing board and the trust maintain a thorough understanding of the school. They 3 and 4 December 2024

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collaborate closely with the school to uphold high standards and ensure continuous improvement.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Background

Until September 2024, on a graded (section 5) inspection we gave schools an overall effectiveness grade, in addition to the key and provision judgements. Overall effectiveness grades given before September 2024 will continue to be visible on school inspection reports and on Ofsted’s website. From September 2024 graded inspections will not include an overall effectiveness grade. This school was, before September 2024, judged outstanding for its overall effectiveness.

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Background

We have now inspected the school to determine whether it has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at that previous inspection. This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school’s work has improved significantly or that it may not be as strong as it was at the last inspection, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection. A graded inspection is carried out under section 5 of the Act. Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

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Background

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be outstanding for overall effectiveness in June 2019.

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How can I feed back my views?

find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ is used to mean pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND); pupils who meet the definition of children in need of help and protection ; pupils receiving statutory local authority support from a social worker; and 3 and 4 December 2024

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pupils who otherwise meet the criteria used for deciding the school’s pupil premium funding (this includes pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years, looked after children (children in local authority care) and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route). 3 and 4 December 2024

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School details

CEO of the trust Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE

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School details

Dates of previous inspection 26 and 27 June 2019, under section 5 of the Education Act 2005

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Information about this school

 The school is part of Star Academies, a multi-academy trust.  The school has an Islamic ethos and welcomes pupils of all faiths and none. The last section 48 inspection took place in February 2020. The next section 48 inspection is due in 2025.  The school uses no alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time judgment about the quality of a school’s education provision.  This was the first routine inspection the school had received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the school and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the school. 3 and 4 December 2024

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 To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector: reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  The inspector met with the principal, other senior leaders, middle leaders and a range of staff. The inspector met with members of the local governing body. The lead inspector held discussions with the CEO of the trust.  The inspector visited a sample of lessons, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work.  The inspector considered a range of documentation, including leaders’ evaluation of the school, the school’s behaviour, bullying and attendance analysis and logs, the school improvement plan and minutes of governing board meetings.  The inspector observed pupils’ behaviour in lessons and around the school site.

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Additionally, she spoke to pupils to discuss their views about the school.  The inspector considered the responses to Ofsted’s online survey, Ofsted Parent View, and the results of the online staff and pupil surveys.

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Inspection team

Rebecca Sharples, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector 3 and 4 December 2024

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achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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