20th October 2026: Futures & Destinations Event

On Tuesday 20th October, Oakley School held its annual Futures & Destinations Event, open to pupils in Years 10–14 and their families. The event brought together young people, families and a wide range of external organisations to explore what life after Oakley could look like.

The event was designed to help our young people begin to build a clear picture of their future pathway, recognising that successful preparation for adulthood looks different for every pupil. Young people and their families had the opportunity to meet representatives from further education, specialist provisions, social care and day services, community organisations, SEND advice services such as IASK, SEN clubs (Space to Be Me), and other services that can support young people as they move towards adulthood.

Throughout the afternoon, pupils were encouraged to speak to providers, ask questions and find out about the different opportunities available to them. Families were also able to speak directly with organisations, gather information and explore the different options and support available as they begin to plan for their young person’s future beyond Oakley.

A key aim of the event was to make conversations about the future accessible and meaningful for young people with a wide range of complex learning needs, giving them opportunities to explore possibilities in a way that is appropriate to their individual developmental stage.

The event reflects our wider commitment to ensuring that every young person and their family is well informed about the options available and supported to identify the most appropriate pathway and next steps after Oakley, based on the individual young person’s needs, aspirations and stage of development.

A huge thank you to all of the organisations who joined us, as well as our young people, families and staff who helped make the event possible. It was fantastic to have so many different opportunities represented in one place and to see pupils and their families engaging in meaningful conversations about their futures.

15th October 2024: Futures & Destinations Event

It was lovely to see many families together with Phase 3 and 4 Pupils at our Futures and Destinations Event at Tonbridge. We were fortunate to be joined by several local providers and it was a lovely atmosphere for pupils and families find out more information about next steps.

23rd November 2023: Futures & Destinations Event

Oakley School hosted a successful Futures Destination event for pupils and parents in Phases 3 and 4. We were pleased to welcome the following organisations:

• The Oaks Specialist College
• Grow 19
• Hadlow College (part of North Kent College)
• Mid Kent College
• We Are Beams
• Aspen Charities
• Princess Christian Farm
• Spadeworks
• The Education People
• The Scotts Project
• White Rocks Farm
• St Piers
• Sports Connect
• Elevate Creates

15^th May - 19^th May 2023: Phase 4 Work Related Learning Week

We encourage all Phase 4 pupils to take part in a Work-Related Learning placement to develop their confidence and skills for life and independence. Families are asked to help find suitable placements through friends and family and ideally placements which are near home, enabling pupils to travel to and from the placement as independently as possible in order to get a more real-life experience of working.

We can support any families who are struggling to find suitable placements - please contact Charlotte Bartlett, Phase 4 Leader: cbartlett@oakley.kent.sch.uk

22nd March 2023: Futures & Destinations Event

There was a wonderful atmosphere as our pupils and their parents/carers explored some of the options available to them when they leave Oakley School. Thank you to all the Post-16 Education & Training providers and employers who came along to support the event.

Below are just some of the organisations who attended:

• Department for Work and Pensions
• McDonalds
• Supported Employment Services
• Imago
• BEAMs
• Shaw Trust

23rd March 2023: Oakley pupils become Sports Commentators for the day!

Phase 4 pupils took part in a Class Commentary workshop with Dan Strange, a broadcaster of Olympic Games, World Cups and Paralympics and Clare Griffiths, a five time Paralympian and now a commentator too. Clare was Great Britain's Wheelchair Basketball Captain for London 2012.

It was so inspirational - our pupils were so engaged and involved, learning about and practicing their interviewing and commentating skills. Their behaviour was exemplary and even the shyest ones had grown in confidence by the end of the day. The workshop ran from 9.15am to 2.45pm and everyone was buzzing and talking about it all day.

Dan sent an email after the event: ‘Can I say how fantastic we thought the pupils were. Funny, interesting and extremely polite, with so much character.’