A secondary school in South Norwood has been praised for fostering a "welcoming and inclusive" community in its first report under the new Ofsted framework.
Oasis Academy Arena, in Albert Road, has been graded as reaching a "strong standard" in inclusion following its most recent Ofsted inspection in April.
It is the only secondary school in Croydon so far to have received this new rating, the school said, which means leaders are "working above the standard expected of them".
In the report published on June 8, Ofsted inspectors said inclusion is seen as "everybody's responsibility" at Arena leading to a "warm and supportive community".
The report said: "Inclusion is central to the school’s work, underpinning leaders’ actions in school improvement.
"With support from the trust and the local authority, leaders have developed systems to ensure that pupils' needs are accurately identified, especially for those new to the country and pupils known to social care.
"This includes a specialist induction programme run in partnership with the local authority on the school's site.
"This is specifically designed to support unaccompanied minors and other pupils who join the school at the early stages of learning English."
Also mentioned is the school's special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, which provides "high-quality support" for pupils with autism, and its "comprehensive" personal development programme".
This means all pupils experience a "welcoming and inclusive school", in spirt of many facing significant barriers to learning, inspectors said.
Four other areas - attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing - were deemed to meet an "expected standard" in the report.
The only area which was graded as "needs attention" was achievement, but Ofsted said pupils now learn "more securely than previously" due to improved teaching and curriculum design.
Oasis Academy Arena headteacher Jeanette Bell said she was "delighted" with the outcome of the Ofsted inspection.
Ms Bell said: "The report recognises the many strengths of our academy, and I am extremely proud of our students, staff and wider community.
"We are thrilled that the inspectors recognised the impact of all this work that ultimately supports our pupils to develop a strong sense of belonging in school.
"While the report acknowledges that there is still work to do to ensure outcomes continue to improve, it clearly recognises the strong progress the school is making and the positive impact of changes made since our last inspection."
Deputy headteacher Greg Shaw added: "I have worked at Arena since 2017 and have always been extremely proud of how inclusive and special our school is.
"I’ve led on a number of key areas during this time, delivering significant improvements and have remained committed to seeing this transformation through.
"To have it now recognised by Ofsted is a wonderful feeling and something to celebrate."
