Oldham Academy Wins SEND Inclusion Award, Oldham 2026

Key Points

• Oldham Academy Leesbrook in Oldham has been awarded the SEND Inclusion Award by Optimus Education in 2026
• The award recognises the academy’s outstanding commitment to improving outcomes for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• The academy’s inclusive practices align with the national Oasis Trust vision for inclusion
• Inspectors praised embedded inclusion across school life with strong systems for identifying need and reviewing impact
• Strategic SENCO Mrs Rebecca O’Neill leads the academy’s SEND provision alongside dedicated teaching assistants and learning support assistants
• The school showcased graduated response systems, pupil passports, provision mapping, and intervention tracking during inspection
• Inspectors visited the Hive Provision and Bridge classroom during the award assessment
• Learners, parents, and staff provided positive feedback about the academy’s strong relationships and consistent support
• Principal Mrs Andrea Mitchell describes inclusion as “the golden thread running through everything” at the academy
• The award reflects a strength-based approach celebrating each learner’s unique abilities and potential

Oldham (Manchester Mirror) June 04, 2026 – Oldham’s Oasis Academy Leesbrook has achieved significant recognition after being awarded the SEND Inclusion Award by Optimus Education, marking a major milestone in the academy’s commitment to supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

How Did Optimus Education Evaluate the Academy’s Inclusive Practices?

As reported by the Oldham Reporter, Optimus Education’s inspection report praised the academy, highlighting that “inclusion is embedded across school life, with strong systems for identifying need, planning provision, reviewing impact and involving learners and families”. During the comprehensive inspection process, staff showcased the depth and strength of inclusive practice across the entire academy.

The evaluation process was thorough and multi-faceted. From a detailed presentation of the graduated response, pupil passports, provision mapping and intervention tracking, through to a tour of the Hive Provision and Bridge classroom, the evidence demonstrated a school where inclusion is not an add on, but part of everyday academy life. Inspectors examined concrete systems and documentation that proved the academy’s systematic approach to supporting SEND pupils.

What Did Learners, Parents and Staff Say About the Academy’s Support?

Inspectors also heard directly from learners, parents and staff, who spoke about the difference made by strong relationships and consistent support from the academy’s Strategic SENCO, Mrs Rebecca O’Neill, alongside the dedication and expertise of teaching assistants (TAs) and learning support assistants (LSAs) across the school. This direct feedback from all stakeholders provided inspectors with authentic insights into the academy’s daily operations and the real impact of their inclusive practices.

The involvement of learners themselves in the inspection process demonstrated the academy’s genuine commitment to student voice and participation in decisions affecting their education. Parents’ positive testimonials reinforced the academy’s success in building strong home-school partnerships essential for supporting children with SEND.

What Does Strategic SENCO Rebecca O’Neill Say About the Award?

Rebecca O’Neill, Assistant Principal: Strategic SENCO at Oasis Academy Leesbrook said: “Receiving the SENDIA Inclusion Award at Oasis Academy Leesbrook is a proud recognition of our unwavering commitment to placing the child at the centre of everything we do”. Her leadership as Strategic SENCO has been instrumental in developing and maintaining the academy’s high standards of inclusive practice.

“We are driven by a strength-based approach, celebrating each learner’s unique abilities and potential, and ensuring every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed”. O’Neill continued, explaining that “This award reflects the dedication of our staff and community, and our shared belief that true inclusion is the foundation of an exceptional education”.

The strength-based approach mentioned by O’Neill represents a significant shift from deficit models of supporting SEND pupils, instead focusing on what children can do and their inherent potential rather than limitations.

How Does Principal Andrea Mitchell Describe the Academy’s Inclusion Ethos?

Mrs. Andrea Mitchell, Principal of Oasis Academy Leesbrook, added: “This award symbolises our relentless commitment to inclusion”. As the academy’s leader, Mitchell has championed inclusion as a core value driving all aspects of school operations and educational delivery.

“Our ethos and values are rooted in delivering the very best educational experience for all our students”. Mitchell emphasised that “Inclusion is the golden thread running through everything we do here at the academy, and as Principal, I am incredibly proud to lead a school that is truly committed to unlocking the potential of each student in our care”.

The metaphor of inclusion as a “golden thread” illustrates how SEND support permeates every aspect of academy life rather than being a separate or additional provision.

How Does This Award Align with the National Oasis Trust Vision?

The award recognises the academy’s outstanding commitment to improving outcomes for pupils with SEND and its clear alignment with the national Oasis Trust vision for inclusion. This alignment demonstrates that Oasis Academy Leesbrook’s practices reflect broader organisational values and standards across the Oasis Trust network of academies.

This is just one of many examples of how Oasis Academy Leesbrook’s commitment to inclusion, in line with the national Oasis vision, ensures all students are given the opportunities and support they need to grow, develop their passions, and take pride in who they are, while making a positive contribution to their community. The academy’s success illustrates how individual schools can successfully implement national trust priorities at local level.

What Specific Inclusive Systems Did the Academy Showcase?

The academy demonstrated several sophisticated systems for supporting SEND pupils during the inspection. The graduated response framework ensures pupils receive appropriate levels of support based on their individual needs, escalating or reducing intervention as required.

Pupil passports provide personalised documentation outlining each SEND pupil’s needs, strengths, preferences, and required accommodations, ensuring all staff understand how to support individual learners effectively. Provision mapping allows the academy to track and allocate resources systematically across different SEND provisions, ensuring equitable distribution of support.

Intervention tracking systems monitor the effectiveness of specific support strategies, enabling data-driven decisions about which interventions work best for different pupils. The Hive Provision and Bridge classroom represent specialised physical spaces designed to meet the diverse needs of SEND pupils, offering tailored learning environments beyond mainstream classrooms.

Background of This Development

The SEND Inclusion Award (SENDIA) is administered by Optimus Education, a leading organisation specialising in education improvement and accreditation for schools supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The award assesses schools against rigorous criteria examining how well inclusion is embedded across all aspects of school life, from leadership and governance to teaching practices, physical environment, and stakeholder engagement.

Oasis Academy Leesbrook is part of the national Oasis Trust, a multi-academy trust operating schools across England with a strong organisational commitment to inclusion and social justice. The Trust’s vision emphasises that all children, regardless of their needs or circumstances, deserve access to high-quality education that recognises and nurtures their potential.

The inspection process for the SEND Inclusion Award typically involves comprehensive documentation review, classroom observations, interviews with staff, learners and parents, and tours of specialised provision areas. Schools must demonstrate sustained excellence rather than temporary improvements, with evidence showing inclusive practices are embedded in everyday school culture rather than being superficial additions.

Mrs Rebecca O’Neill serves as Assistant Principal and Strategic SENCO, a senior leadership role combining strategic oversight of SEND provision with operational management. Her position reflects the academy’s commitment to placing SEND leadership at senior management level, ensuring inclusion remains a priority in strategic decision-making.

The teaching assistants (TAs) and learning support assistants (LSAs) mentioned represent essential staff who provide direct support to SEND pupils, working alongside class teachers to ensure pupils can access the curriculum and participate fully in school life. Their dedication and expertise, as acknowledged during the inspection, form the operational foundation of the academy’s inclusive practice.

Prediction: How This Development Will Affect Families and Students in Oldham

This award will have significant positive implications for families with children who have special educational needs and disabilities in Oldham and surrounding areas. Parents seeking inclusive education options for their SEND children will now have verified evidence that Oasis Academy Leesbrook provides exceptional support, potentially influencing school choice decisions for families in the region.

Students currently attending Oasis Academy Leesbrook with SEND will benefit from continued investment in inclusive practices, as the award recognition often leads to sustained or increased resources for SEND provision. The strength-based approach championed by the academy means pupils will increasingly experience education focused on their abilities rather than limitations, potentially improving self-esteem, engagement, and educational outcomes.

The academy’s success may influence other Oldham schools to strengthen their own SEND provision, creating a positive ripple effect across the local education landscape. As schools observe the benefits of achieving SEND inclusion accreditation, competition to improve inclusive practices could raise standards across the region, ultimately benefiting all pupils with special educational needs in Oldham.

Local teaching assistants and learning support assistants may see increased professional development opportunities as the academy builds on its award-winning practices, potentially improving recruitment and retention of skilled support staff. This could address national challenges in recruiting qualified SEND support personnel while improving quality of support available to pupils.

The recognition strengthens Oasis Academy Leesbrook’s reputation within the Oasis Trust network, potentially attracting additional resources, expertise, and best practices from other high-performing Oasis academies. This network effect could accelerate continuous improvement in SEND provision, ensuring the academy maintains its leading position rather than resting on current achievements.

For the broader Oldham community, the academy’s success demonstrates that inclusive education can achieve excellence, potentially shifting community attitudes about the capabilities of children with disabilities and the value of inclusive schooling. This cultural shift could have long-term benefits beyond education, influencing employment opportunities, social participation, and community inclusion for people with disabilities in Oldham.