A Croydon secondary school where the community is “like a family” continues to be rated 'good' by Ofsted after its most recent inspection.

Oasis Academy Coulsdon was last inspected on March 19 and the report was published on May 15.

The school was last inspected in 2018 when inspectors also rated it as 'good'.

Inspectors found that many pupils described the school as being “like a family".

Inspectors described the school as having “high expectations of pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)”.

Leaders work hard to address any “barriers faced by any pupils who are vulnerable or disadvantaged in any way”, said the report.

Inspectors said that “staff want the best for pupils".

They found that working relationships between pupils and teachers are positive and that pupils behave well in class and around the school.

They added that pupils know they can talk to an adult in school if they are worried about anything, and, as a result, “pupils are happy and safe here”.

Inspectors credited the school for their range of extracurricular activities, with the school “providing many opportunities for pupils to develop their talents and interests”.

They can attend gardening and debating clubs, as well as contribute to the school’s newspaper and take part in the school play.

Inspectors also found that pupils benefit from a “carefully considered curriculum” which is “broad and balanced".

They found that the curriculum helps to build a rich mental framework for pupils.

For example, they saw that children deepen their understanding of more complex topics so they understand Newton’s laws of motion by Year 9, which is typically not learnt about until Year 11.

Inspectors praised the “highly ambitious” curriculum.

They also praised pupils’ other abilities, such as using Freudian psychoanalysis to understand Macbeth and examining A Christmas Carol through a Marxist interpretation.

Reading is a key priority at the school, Ofsted reported.

Pupils read with “fluency and confidence”, and leaders meet the needs of pupils with SEND, both in lessons and in the resource provision.

However, Ofsted did criticise some aspects of the school.

Despite leaders putting “clear actions“ in place to support pupils to attend school regularly, they found that overall absence is not “reducing as quickly as hoped” and said that the number of pupils severely absent from school is “too high”.

They also said that occasionally, teachers “do not check pupils’ learning carefully enough in lessons”, and this limits their understanding of subject content.

Inspectors ended their report by saying that “staff are proud to work at the school” and that Oasis Academy Coulsdon provides “constructive support and accountability".

Principal Catrin Green said: “We are delighted with the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection.

"Not only is this testament to the hard work of our fantastic team of staff, but it is a true reflection of what an amazing place our students and staff make this school and why it is such a special place to be a part of.”