Ofsted has praised the efforts of the Island’s largest and only secondary school rated as 'requires improvement' – describing it as having "improved" its teaching.

Inspector Gary Holden visited the Oasis Academy on Monday, October 8 for a monitoring visit, where he said the school and its leaders were "taking effective action to tackle the areas requiring improvement" in order for it to become 'good'.

The academy was rated 'requires improvement' in 2015 before it was again given the same rating in 2017 during another full inspection.

This month's inspection marked the first monitoring visit since last year's ranking was given.

In his report, Mr Holden praised the work of Tina Lee, who was appointed acting principal in April this year – following the departure of principal John Cavadino – and confirmed as permanent principal in June.

"Since your appointment, you have lost no time in sharpening management systems, improving teaching and clarifying roles and responsibilities," Mr Holden said.

"Aided by your senior leadership team and senior officers from the trust, you have taken effective action to review the curriculum and further strengthen the school's approach to managing behaviour."

"We have the highest expectations for our young people..." Principal Tina Lee

The report also highlighted how morale among teachers was high and that there had been "significant improvements" in pupil behaviour.

"The school is now calm and orderly," Mr Holden added.

But he did point out that overall rates of absence and persistent absence remained higher than those seen nationally in secondary schools.

"However, attendance is slowly improving," Mr Holden said, "and leaders have had considerable success in promoting regular attendance among vulnerable pupils."

Principal Tina Lee said the academy was "grateful" for Ofsted's "encouraging and constructive report".

She added: "As a staff team we are committed to making the changes needed for Oasis Academy to become the 'good' or better school that our students deserve.

"We are pleased the work we are doing on behaviour, curriculum and assessment have been recognised – we must now continue to implement these changes.

"We have the highest expectations for our young people so that they can do their best and flourish."

The academy has now been tasked to ensure that the "recent rapid improvements" in curriculum design and in the quality of teaching lead to faster rates of progress for current pupils and that overall rates of attendance match those seen nationally in secondary schools.