Oasis Academy Leesbrook

Oasis Academy Leesbrook occupies a prominent position in the Leesfield area of Oldham, serving a diverse student body of 1,254 within its purpose-built campus on Roxbury Avenue. Since its opening, the academy has established itself as a cornerstone of the local community, moving from a temporary site to its permanent home to accommodate its growing population. The latest academic data shows a mixed picture, with the school ranking 3,870th out of 3,895 schools in England for GCSE academic outcomes and 3,193rd out of 3,688 schools overall (FindMySchool ranking). Locally, it ranks 12th among Oldham secondary schools, reflecting a typical but lower-table national position alongside a positive Progress 8 score.

The atmosphere at Oasis Academy Leesbrook is defined by its commitment to inclusivity and the Oasis Community Learning ethos of self worth and community. The academy serves a predominantly local cohort, and there is a palpable sense of shared identity within its modern, light filled corridors. The building itself is designed to support a collaborative learning environment, with specialist hubs and open social spaces that encourage student interaction.

Following the departure of founding Principal Sarah Livesey in early 2024, the school moved to a leadership structure overseen by Executive Principal Nigel Fowler, with Andrea Mitchell serving as Principal. This transition has maintained the academy’s focus on building a family oriented culture where student voice is prioritised. The academy operates on a set of core values known as the Oasis 9 Habits, which include being inclusive, hopeful, and persevering. These habits are woven into daily life, from morning registration to the ways in which achievements are celebrated in assemblies.

The current 2024-25 / 2025 GCSE dataset indicates a steady performance with clear areas of strength in student progress. The academy achieved an Average Attainment 8 score of 41.5, while the Progress 8 score of +0.12 shows that students make progress slightly above the England average from their starting points.

Ranked 12th in Oldham in the current local secondary table, the academy's results point to a lower national position but a positive progress profile. The percentage of students achieving grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) was 8.6%, while the average EBacc APS score was 3.8. EBacc entry was high at 80.9%, so the picture is one of broad entry with more modest grade 5+ outcomes.

Teaching at Oasis Academy Leesbrook follows a structured curriculum designed to bridge the gap between primary education and the demands of GCSEs. The academy uses a digital first approach through the Oasis Horizons project, providing every student with an iPad to enhance independent research and collaborative projects. This technology is used daily to provide immediate feedback and to allow students to access learning materials outside the classroom.

The curriculum is broad in the lower years, allowing students to explore creative arts, technology, and humanities before narrowing their focus for Key Stage 4. Teachers use explicit instruction and retrieval practice to ensure knowledge is embedded. The most recent Ofsted inspection, which took place in January 2023, rated the school Good, with inspectors noting that the quality of education is ambitious and the curriculum is clearly sequenced.

Pastoral care is a significant pillar of the Leesbrook experience. The academy is divided into small, manageable tutor groups where staff can monitor student wellbeing closely. There is a dedicated pastoral team that includes non teaching heads of year and a safeguarding lead, ensuring that support is available throughout the school day.

The academy places a high premium on mental health, participating in the Oasis mental health charter. Students have access to quiet spaces and a peer mentoring scheme where older students support younger peers during the transition from Year 6. Behaviour is managed through a restorative justice model, focusing on repairing relationships and understanding the impact of actions rather than purely punitive measures.

The extracurricular life at Leesbrook is varied, with a strong emphasis on leadership and community service. Students are encouraged to join the Academy Parliament to influence school policy. Specific clubs found within the academy include the Robotics Club, the Debate Society, and various STEM focused initiatives that take advantage of the school’s digital resources.

STEM: Innovation and Technology

STEM subjects are a focal point, supported by the Oasis Horizons digital scheme. The academy hosts annual events featuring visiting speakers from local industries and universities. Students participate in the First LEGO League and coding workshops, using their iPads to develop programming skills. Science labs are well equipped for practical experimentation, which is a core part of the Key Stage 3 curriculum.

Sporting life is similarly active, with teams in football, netball, and basketball competing in Oldham leagues. The academy’s modern sports hall and outdoor multi use games area provide high quality facilities for both curriculum PE and after school fixtures.

As a state funded academy, admissions are coordinated by Oldham Council. For September 2027 Year 7 entry, online applications open on 1 August 2026, close on 31 October 2026, and offers are released on 1 March 2027. Current admissions data supplies verified timetable dates rather than refreshed applications-per-place figures, so families should treat capacity and oversubscription as a year-by-year question.

There is no formal catchment area, but places are allocated based on a standard priority list: looked after children, siblings of current students, and then those living closest to the school gates. Families should consult the Oldham Council admissions portal for the latest guidance, with the current Year 7 route showing a 31 October 2026 deadline for September 2027 entry.

Where Students Go Next

As the academy does not have its own sixth form, students transition to local further education providers at the end of Year 11. Common destinations include Oldham Sixth Form College and The Blue Coat Sixth Form. The academy provides a robust careers programme starting in Year 7, including mock interviews, careers fairs, and 1 to 1 guidance to help students navigate their post 16 options.

The school day at Oasis Academy Leesbrook typically runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. For travel, the school is accessible via several local bus routes serving the Lees and Oldham areas. There is limited on site parking for visitors, but the school is well connected for those walking from the surrounding residential estates. Wraparound care details are not currently published; families should contact the academy directly for information regarding breakfast or after school clubs.

Fees & Financial Aid

Oasis Academy Leesbrook is a state funded school and does not charge tuition fees. As part of the Oasis Community Learning trust, it provides all students with an iPad as part of the Oasis Horizons project at no cost to families to ensure digital equity. Costs for specific extracurricular trips or uniform are kept as low as possible to remain inclusive to the local community.

• Admissions Timing: For September 2027 Year 7 entry, Oldham's coordinated timetable opens applications on 1 August 2026, closes them on 31 October 2026, and releases offers on 1 March 2027. Parents should check the current oversubscription criteria and avoid relying on older applications-per-place figures.
• No Internal Sixth Form: Students must transition to a different environment at age 16. While the academy provides extensive support for this, families seeking an all through 11 to 18 experience will need to look at alternative local providers.
• Digital Reliance: The Oasis Horizons iPad scheme is central to the curriculum. Families who prefer a more traditional focus may find the school's heavy integration of technology a significant adjustment.

Oasis Academy Leesbrook is a school on an upward trajectory, combining modern technology with a strong sense of community. Its results show that students make better than average progress, supported by a curriculum that is both ambitious and technologically advanced. It is best suited to families in the Oldham area who want a diverse, inclusive environment with a clear focus on digital literacy and student wellbeing.