Oak Lodge School

116637 Unique Reference Number Hampshire Local Authority 290573 Inspection number 23 °24 January 2007 Inspection dates Kay Johnson Reporting inspector

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Roman Road School address Special Type of school Dibden Purlieu Community special School category Southampton SO45 4RQ 11 °16 Age range of pupils 02380847213 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 02380845112 Fax number 125 Number on roll (school) Mrs Liz Coveney Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Beverley Hawker Headteacher 3 March 2003 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 290573 23 °24 January 2007 11°16 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied.

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by an Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

Oak Lodge is a special, moderate learning difficulty, day school serving a predominantly rural area in South West Hampshire. The school caters for pupils with a wide range of learning difficulties and additional complex needs. About three quarters of pupils are boys. About a third of pupils are diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The population of the school is predominantly White British. The school is situated on the same campus as a mainstream technology college and recreation centre. There is an inclusion programme in operation with the college. The school is subject to an area review of special school provision. Due to the nature of the needs of the pupils, standards are well below national averages. The school has achieved a range of awards and recognitions which have been reconfirmed.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Oak Lodge School, 23 °24 January 2007

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Grade: 2

'Our children are maturing into confident young adults with a positive sense of their abilities', said one parent of this good school with outstanding features. The self-evaluation processes have ensured that pupils' outcomes and future life chances are of the highest priority. At the heart of the school's success are the visionary continuing professional development and induction programmes for staff. These are driven most effectively by the comprehensive and detailed strategic school plan. The senior leadership team have made it their business to support the development of subject leaders and clearly communicate corporate responsibility to the whole school community. The school has an impressive list of updated awards including Investors in People, Investors in Careers and The Artsmark Silver Award and it has used them to drive up standards and develop better provision. Funding and donations have been put to

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Grade: 2

excellent use in the development of an impressive Arts block with a drama studio and a sculpture room which enhance current provision. Teaching and learning are at their best where there is effective breaking down of work into small steps and support staff work confidently with individual pupils and small groups. Teachers use good questioning to move pupils learning on. In these lessons pupils take responsibility for evaluating their learning. Teaching and learning are less secure where pupils have fewer opportunities to reflect on their progress and contribution to lessons. Examples of the exciting and stimulating curriculum on offer are the wide range of work-related learning opportunities and off-site educational activities, which have enhanced pupils' experiences and they appreciate it. There is an ever increasing range of accredited courses available to suit individual pupil's abilities. The school has moved

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Grade: 2

seamlessly from its previous curriculum to a model which exemplifies good practice in this personalised learning. Curriculum planning and the focused and impressive displays show a commitment to celebrating and learning about diverse cultures. Assemblies cover appropriate topics and reward pupils' achievements both academically and in their personal development. Pupils behave well and enjoy coming to school because the curriculum and guidance is flexible and responsive. The school is truly inclusive especially in the way that its community of pupils with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) have been able to access the curriculum and are respected and valued by their peers. Language and communication development are integral to the schools ethos, as is apparent in the use of picture symbols in all classes and through the school's commitment to the Arts. However, more explicit strategies to develop communication

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Grade: 2

are needed and this has been identified by the school, who have employed their own speech and language therapist.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Introduce some different ways of communicating so that everyone can express what they think 2 Inspection Report: Oak Lodge School, 23 °24 January 2007 • Provide sufficient opportunities for pupils to think carefully about what they learn in each lesson.

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Grade: 2

Achievement and progress of pupils is good. There are robust tracking systems in place which are internally and externally moderated. Analysis of data is incisive. It takes good account of different groups of pupils as well as closely monitoring individuals to enhance personalised learning plans. The school strategic plan identifies what is being done to make individual plans more focused and accessible. Pupils make good and better progress in lessons where teachers use the assessment analysis findings to move pupils on. Pupils benefit from the moderation and setting of subject targets by subject leaders.

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Grade: 2

Personal development and well being are good with elements which are outstanding. Most impressive is the way in which all pupils are included and feel they belong to this community, notably, the ASD pupils who are integrated into classes. There is a tangible respect between pupils and an understanding of each other's differences. This is down to the staff team who set a fine example day-in and day -out of how to value differences and diversity thus endorsing the view that everyone is a worthy contributor. The Chelsea flower show, where the pupils were successful in winning a silver medal, is a shining example of the very best practice at the school where pupils were able to take on adult responsibilities and develop their personal and social skills. This event fed directly into curriculum and accreditation planning where a very successful horticulture programme is now underway. There is a range of lunchtime and after school clubs and residential school journeys

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Grade: 2

which further enrich the pupils experiences and which the pupils say they enjoy very much. Behaviour management is good but better in some areas than others. The reason why good behaviour is consistently sustained is because of the effective support systems in place and excellent continuing professional development. Within the school setting pupils are able to express themselves confidently and have a developing awareness of current issues for healthy living. 3 Inspection Report: Oak Lodge School, 23 °24 January 2007

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good because of excellent induction and staff development programmes. These facilitate and nurture some outstanding and consistently good practice, as well as bolstering less effective practice[0]. This is coupled with an effective monitoring and evaluation programme which quickly identifies areas for support and improvement. Staff are enabled to meet pupils' needs through well-targeted training, for example in the application of approaches such as the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-handicapped Children (TEACCH) for ASD pupils, and inclusive performance management procedures. The TEACCH approach has been seamlessly introduced to the daily programme and benefits all pupils because of the clarity of the tightly structured activities. Where it works best pupils are motivated and can see their achievements and receive immediate praise. There is evidence of much improved use of assessment in lessons to raise

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Grade: 2

standards. However, in some lessons pupils have too few opportunities to reflect on their progress. Classrooms are well organised and resourced and, when teaching is satisfactory, this helps to keep pupils progress on track. Looking at the successful outcomes for pupils, the positive impact of the investment in professional development and induction is crystal clear.

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Grade: 1

The curriculum is outstanding. There have been dramatic and exciting improvements to the curriculum since the last inspection. It is genuinely tailored to meet the needs of pupils and to ensure that pupils have the best possible opportunities of achieving economic well-being. Everywhere you look there are stimulating activities and creative approaches at play. For example mathematics work looking at train timetables with pupils planning their journeys and then trying out the route. The work related learning is inventive and meaningful with carefully planned visits and experiences on offer to develop pupils' confidence. There is a successful partnership with the mainstream school which shares a site to provide inclusion opportunities where pupils can follow additional GCSE courses in addition to the ones offered at Oak Lodge. The impressive range of accredited courses available for all pupils is a particular strength and the arts

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Grade: 1

provision, rightly awarded the Silver Artsmark, leads the way in terms of developing exciting courses to improve the outcomes and enjoyment of learning for pupils. 4 Inspection Report: Oak Lodge School, 23 °24 January 2007

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Grade: 2

Care guidance and support are good with some excellent features. Pupils say that 'Oak Lodge understands its pupils' and it does. The school knows its pupils well. The Careers guidance is a particular strength of the school as a result of the work which started with the Investors in Careers process which the school has been successful in achieving. This has led to successful partnerships with other organisations and ensures that pupils are supported in moving on to appropriate college placements when they leave. Academic guidance is good with plans to smarten the pupils' individual education plan targets and make them more personalised. This was identified by the school. A speech and language therapist has been employed to develop the communication strategies. Learning support assistants are well deployed and enhance the pupils' progress by providing a balance of support and encouragement and facilitating independence.

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Grade: 1

Leadership and management are outstanding. The excellent leadership and management of the headteacher, is ably supported by the senior leadership team and an astute governing body. Together, they have driven the school forward with creativity and enthusiasm. They have successfully managed recruitment challenges and a widening remit of pupil needs in the context of the special educational needs review and reorganisation. The findings of the inspection mirrored the headteacher's assessment and it was clear that support is put where it is needed. The headteacher, senior leadership team and governors have remained focused at all times on attacking the challenge of recruitment. This has resulted in a member of the leadership team being devoted to the staff development programme which is very effective in supporting Newly Qualified Teachers. Support staff have been equally well served by the National Vocational Qualification assessment available through the

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Grade: 1

school and the introduction of Higher Level Teacher Assistants. The headteacher conducted an excellent assembly on body language and facial expression. When it was agreed that the head looked excited and she asked why that might be, a pupil answered ' and;hellip;.because you're excited to see all us wonderful kids, Miss'. The pupils know they are valued here, they are proud to belong. They are included in a community which strives to improve their opportunities now and in the future. 5 Inspection Report: Oak Lodge School, 23 °24 January 2007 .

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Grade: 1

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: Oak Lodge School, 23 °24 January 2007

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Inspection judgements

School Overall Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

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Overall effectiveness

How effective, efficient and inclusive is the provision of education, integrated care and any extended services in meeting the needs of learners? How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? 1 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 2 The capacity to make any necessary improvements Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection

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Achievement and standards

2 How well do learners achieve? 4 The standards 1 reached by learners How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners 2 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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learners?

2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 The behaviour of learners 2 The attendance of learners 2 How well learners enjoy their education 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

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and interests of learners?

2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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and interests of learners?

Grade 1 - Exceptionally and consistently high; Grade 2 - Generally above average with none significantly below average; Grade 3 - Broadly average to below average; Grade 4 - Exceptionally low. 7 Inspection Report: Oak Lodge School, 23 °24 January 2007

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and supporting all learners?

How effectively leaders and managers at all levels set clear direction leading to improvement and promote high quality of care and education How effectively performance is monitored, evaluated and improved to meet challenging targets How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can How effectively and efficiently resources, including staff, are deployed to achieve value for money The extent to which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities Yes Do procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements? No Does this school require special measures? No Does this school require a notice to improve? 8 Inspection Report: Oak Lodge School, 23 °24 January 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you for your help during the inspection. You were well behaved and polite. You told me that your school is good and I agree with you. I also found that your school does some things very well indeed. Your headteacher and her senior team and the governors do an excellent job and care deeply about you getting the best curriculum possible. You told me it is fun and that you like the activities you do outside school as well. Your school gives you a very good choice of courses and because of this when pupils leave they are able to go to colleges to learn more. You respect each other and celebrate differences and I like the way you speak up sensibly in assemblies and lessons. Your school agreed that it can do even better if there are more ways that people can communicate with each other and that you can make even more progress if you think carefully about what have learned in each lesson and try to remember it for the next time.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

What the school should do to improve further: • Introduce some different ways of communicating so that everyone can express what they think • Plan for you to have more opportunities to think carefully about what you have learned in each lesson. With best wishes for your future, Kay JohnsonLead Inspector 9 Inspection Report: Oak Lodge School, 23 °24 January 2007

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