We are an Ofsted ‘good’ rated academy.

Ofsted visited the academy in May 2022 to undertake a short inspection – a visit carried out within ‘good’ rated schools to ensure standards have been maintained since the last inspection date. The two-day visit looked at the overall effectiveness of the school, including the quality of education and behaviour and attitudes.

In its report, the academy’s leaders and governors were praised for having ‘high ambitions for pupils’, who ‘are proud to be part of Retford Oaks Academy’ and ‘know that staff will go ‘above and beyond’ to keep them safe.’

Inspectors found students were ‘dedicated to their learning’ and ‘work hard and do well during lessons’, and that they ‘are friendly and polite to each other’ and ‘respond positively to their learning’. The report also outlined how students, through the academy’s vison of ‘we empower, we respect and we care’, ‘know and understand that this vision will help them grow in confidence’ so that they ‘become well-rounded young people.’

Staff were credited with having ‘good subject knowledge’ and the report described how students ‘enjoy the opportunities to know more about a subject beyond what they learn in the classroom.’ Students also expressed how they ‘appreciate the wide range of extra-curricular activities’ which include ‘sports clubs, performing arts and charitable challenges.’

The report also highlighted that students who progress into sixth form learn in an environment which ‘challenged’ them to ‘achieve their full potential’, with one student commenting that “teachers know you and know how to guide and support you” and “because of this you want to be dedicated to your learning.”

Ofsted report – May 2022

Link to Ofsted website: www.ofsted.gov.uk