Oasis Academy Lord's Hill Review 2026: A School in Transformation

The academy is currently in a critical period of transition. Following a graded inspection in June 2024, the school was rated Inadequate, placing it in the category of serious weaknesses. However, recent monitoring visits in 2025 indicate a school on an upward trajectory. Leadership has been significantly strengthened, and a new culture of expectation is being embedded across the campus.

Mr Simon Firth, who joined as Interim Principal in June 2024 and was later appointed to the permanent role in 2025, is leading a rigorous transformation plan. His strategy focuses on stabilizing the learning environment, improving attendance, and ensuring that every student, regardless of their starting point, has access to a high-quality education. The striking glass-fronted building now houses a community that is working tenaciously to move beyond its recent challenges.

The atmosphere at Oasis Academy Lord's Hill is defined by a drive for order and a sense of renewed purpose. The physical environment remains one of its greatest assets; the 2012 building is designed around a central Agora, creating a light and spacious heart for the school. This architecture supports the academy's intent to be a community hub, offering facilities that feel modern and professional.

Inside, the daily experience for students is becoming more structured and predictable. Leaders have introduced deliberate, pupil-centered routines, such as organized line-ups at the start of the day, which have created a calmer beginning for younger students. The school's ethos is rooted in the Oasis 9 Habits, including being patient, kind, and self-controlled. These values are increasingly visible in the way students and staff interact, moving the academy toward a more respectful and orderly culture.

Academic performance currently reflects the significant hurdles the school is working to overcome. In the most recent validated data, Oasis Academy Lord's Hill achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 37.5. The Progress 8 score of -0.91 indicates that students make approximately one grade less progress across their subjects than similar students in other schools in England.

These metrics place the school 18th among secondaries in Southampton and 3125th in England (FindMySchool ranking). This performance sits within the bottom 40% of schools in England (national lower percentile). While these figures represent a period of historical underperformance, the latest monitoring reports from October 2025 note that achievement information is being used more effectively to identify students at risk of falling behind, with targeted catch-up support now established for Key Stage 4.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, covering the full National Curriculum before students select their GCSE or vocational options. A defining feature of the academic experience is the Oasis Horizons project, which provides every student and staff member with an iPad. This ensures that digital technology is seamlessly integrated into learning, allowing students to access resources and develop digital skills that are essential for the modern workplace.

Teaching is undergoing a significant shift. Most teachers now explain new concepts well and use subject-specific language to challenge students. Reading has become a high priority, with dedicated time for pupils to practice and a curated range of engaging books introduced to build confidence. In mathematics and English, adaptive teaching strategies are being used to help pupils bridge knowledge gaps left by previous inconsistencies. While variability in teaching still exists, the classroom environment has stabilized, allowing for more focused and productive lessons.

Extracurricular life is designed to offer students breadth and inspiration. The academy provides a range of clubs including football, drama, and various STEM-related projects. The school's facilities, including its professional-grade performance hall and sports pitches, support a vibrant after-school program.

The school is also a participant in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, which helps students build resilience and teamwork skills. Community service remains a pillar of the Oasis ethos, and students are often involved in local projects through the Southampton Hub, which connects the academy with the wider Lord's Hill community.

Oasis Academy Lord's Hill is a state-funded academy, and admissions are coordinated by Southampton City Council. The school has a capacity of 900, though it is currently undersubscribed with approximately 762 students on roll.

In recent intake cycles, the school has been able to offer places to all first-preference applicants. The subscription proportion of 0.53 reflects that the school currently has space available. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to view their proximity to the school, though distance has not recently been a barrier to entry. For families considering 2027 entry, the national application deadline is 31 October 2026.

Pastoral support is a core focus as the school works to improve attendance and student engagement. The academy uses a year-group system supported by a dedicated safeguarding team. The Bridge facility provides a specific space for students needing additional social or emotional support, ensuring that vulnerable pupils have a sanctuary within the school.

Attendance remains the most significant barrier to success for many students. Leaders are working tenaciously with the local authority to overcome these challenges, using a multi-layered approach that targets the specific factors influencing absence. While some of this work is in the early stages, there is a clear commitment to identifying and removing the obstacles that keep students away from the classroom.

The school day begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. The academy is well-served by local bus routes along Romsey Road, and the purpose-built site offers accessible facilities for students with mobility needs. As a state school, there are no tuition fees. Parents should factor in the cost of the school uniform and occasional trips, though the academy works to ensure these are accessible to all families.

• Serious Weaknesses Category: The school was rated Inadequate in June 2024. While 2025 monitoring visits indicate great progress, it remains in a category of concern and more work is needed for the school to be judged as no longer having serious weaknesses.
• Low Academic Outcomes: Results are currently well below the England average. Families choosing this school should be aware of the historical gaps in achievement that the current leadership is working to rectify.
• Attendance Priorities: The school has a very strict focus on attendance. Parents must be prepared to engage closely with the school's attendance team, as missing lessons is identified as a major barrier to student success here.
• New Leadership Stability: After a period of change, the leadership team is now stable. This has brought a more consistent approach to behavior and teaching, which is starting to show positive results in the classroom.

Oasis Academy Lord's Hill is a school that has faced significant challenges but is now showing the hallmarks of a successful turnaround. With strengthened leadership, improving behavior, and a modern, technology-rich environment, the foundation for recovery is in place. It best suits local families who want a community-focused school where their child will be part of an ambitious improvement journey. The main challenge for the school is maintaining this momentum to return to a rating of Good or better.