Oakfield Academy in Sylvia Crescent, Totton, is praised by Ofsted for its “significant” improvements

A TOTTON school rated as ‘good’ by Ofsted has been praised for its “significant” improvements.

Oakfield Academy in Sylvia Crescent is part of the Gateway Multi-Academy Trust and until 2019 was known as Oakfield Primary School – which had been rated as inadequate.

It is the first time the academy, which teaches 170 pupils aged four to 11, has been inspected by Ofsted.

All six categories inspected by the team, which includes the quality of education, management, and behaviour, were rated 'good' while personal development and early years provision were marked as ‘outstanding’.

The report said: “Oakfield Academy has improved significantly in recent years.

“Leaders have taken significant action to raise aspirations and outcomes for all pupils [and] their positive and decisive actions have led to strong, sustainable improvements for pupils.”

The school remains ambitious to improve further still, it said, and pupils want to do their best, both in their work and behaviour.

Pupils are now achieving the academic outcomes they are capable of in many curriculum areas, with children in the early years having “an excellent start”.

Support for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is well considered, it added.

The school’s focus on pupils’ personal development was noted as “highly impressive”.

It added: “The pace of improvement has been rapid since the appointment of new leaders at the school and trust.

“They have wasted no time establishing a dedicated team of staff who work together to improve outcomes for pupils.

“Parents greatly appreciate the efforts staff make, and this makes for a very positive environment for pupils to learn in.”

Executive headteacher Haydn Mitton said the recent inspection was the school’s strongest since its first in 1999.

He added: "This inspection outcome is a tribute to the relentless dedication and spirit of our staff, pupils, governors, and families.

“We've built a thriving school that children are excited to attend which shines through in our pupils’ readiness, happiness and preparedness for their next stage of education.”