Oxford Grove achieves Flagship

June 30, 2026

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Oxford Grove is a two-form primary school with 447 pupils on roll. The school meets the needs of a diverse range of pupils, including pupils who found it difficult to get places elsewhere. The staff at Oxford Grove work hard to provide an inclusive setting where all pupils feel valued and are made to feel special. There is an immense sense of pride throughout all elements of the school, and the school kit even displays the word “pride” on the back. The school currently has 120 (27%) SEND pupils with an increasing number of EHCPs particularly in Early Years and Key Stage 1. The number of pupils in receipt of pupil premium funding stands at 62%. The number of International New Arrival (INA) pupils currently attending the school is 177, with many having English as an Additional Language.

There is a lovely display in one of the corridors, which shows a world map, and around it photographs of all the pupils who have arrived from other countries. There is information about their country of origin and then a string helps pupils to locate where the country is situated in the world. Pupil language ambassadors help newly arrived pupils to settle in and become accustomed to the school, routines and the English language. The school has three teachers across every two classes, meaning there is a continuation of staff if a teacher is on leave or off sick, and there is always a familiar adult present for the pupils. This additional teacher can also provide small group work for intensive and focused support.

Artificial Intelligence in Learning

The school is forward looking, always moving forward and working to take on new initiatives which will benefit pupils. Staff constantly review their provision and progress and work to do the best they can for each pupil. For example, a number of teachers had expressed a wish to use AI with pupils in their classes.

The school has been using AI in different ways to support learning. Pupils share how AI is helping pupils edit and improve their writing skills, and how it is used in different areas of the curriculum. In science, pupils learn about adaptations and how polar bears are adapted to their environment by asking the AI questions. The Headteacher felt that pupils would be able to use AI to personalise learning and expand information when researching.

The ICT lead started exploring CPD courses linked to AI at Bolton Schools ICT, quickly realising that it would not be appropriate for teachers to use it for planning lessons as the school prides itself on having a bespoke curriculum, which has been carefully structured and planned.

The school is working with Atul Thakor, who has developed a school focused large language model, to develop a targeted approach to the use of AI. The result is a programme that only has child safe content as it recognises the age of the pupils and language is appropriate for their age group. There are tightly controlled safeguarding procedures built into the programme, and pupils are taught about the weaknesses and limitations of AI by the ICT Lead, for example how it cannot generate certain images (e.g. a hammock between two trees) to a high standard.

The Headteacher explained that it was important for the new AI project to be thoroughly researched and introduced into school in a gradual way. Hence why they have started with just upper Key Stage 2 pupils. They are considering that it might be rolled out in Key Stage 1, but this may look different.

The school continues to work with Smoothwall for their ICT and online safety. This will provide the perfect opportunity to involve parents in the new AI project so that they understand the potential for supporting the pupils’ learning and the importance of doing it safely at home.

Oxford Grove Primary School remain committed to inclusive practice, and we welcome them continuing as an IQM Flagship School.