Welcome to our School

Please e-mail office@oakley.kent.sch.uk if you would like any of the information on our website in a different format.

Our children and young people are at the heart of everything we do.

A very warm welcome to Oakley School. We are the district Special School for children and young people from 3 to 19 years with a wide range of special educational needs located in our Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge (post-16) sites

Our Mission: Children and Young People at the heart of all we do.

Our Ethos: Work Hard, Be Kind, Have Fun & Stay Safe

Our Vision: To give all our children and young people opportunities to engage, explore, discover and develop their independence – to become confident, resilient, happy and well prepared for a positive and meaningful future.

At Oakley School we are ambitious for our pupils and offer a rich Creative Curriculum that is personalised and offers learning in school as well as in the community. Our skilled and dedicated staff team work very hard to make learning motivating, interactive, challenging and fun, whilst ensuring that all our children and young people feel safe, valued and self-confident. We promote “Skills for Life and Independence” so that when pupil leave Oakley School they are prepared for the next phase in their lives and have the best opportunities.

Pupils' wellbeing and engagement is central to all our decision making and how we structure our school and the interventions we use.

Our Wider Curriculum offers excellent enrichment activities including: lunch and after school clubs, curriculum trips and residential experiences in the United Kingdom and abroad. These opportunities provide pupils time and experiences to develop their life skills in new places and with different people in preparation for their next steps.

We work collaboratively across our school community with our Families, Therapists, NHS Colleagues and other professionals and external organisations to support and meet the needs of our pupils.

We hope that you enjoy your visit to our website, and that you find the information you are looking for. Please feel free to contact the school directly with any queries you may have. If you would like a paper copy of any of the information on our website, we would be happy to provide it, free of charge. Email office@oakley.kent.sch.uk

or call us on 01892 823096.

It is my privilege to be the Headteacher at Oakley School and we welcome you to visit the school so you can meet pupils and staff to experience our very special school.

Sam Perryman
Headteacher

Home Page

Our Families

Arbor - Parent Payments, Communication and Booking App

Attendance Strategy

Oakley Families

Oakley School is committed to working in partnership with all families to provide the best learning opportunities and environment for our children and young people.

My name is Suzanne Benson and I have been Oakley’s Family Support Worker since January 2024.

My aim in school is to provide support, advice and information to the families within our school community. I can help to support you with concerns you may have in relation to your child's education, behaviour and well-being. I am also here as someone to talk to if you need it!

We now have a Family Room at the Tunbridge Wells site and this provides a space for meeting families in 1:1 sessions, small groups, drop-in sessions as well as workshops/ training. Advice and support is confidential, although concerns relating to the safeguarding of children will always be dealt with in accordance with the school's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. I may not have all the answers, but hopefully we can help you to work out how to find them!

You can contact me via the main school telephone number 01892 823096 or email: sbensonoakley.kent.sch.uk

Family Information

School Uniform Policy

To order uniform please visit the school shop via your Arbor App or contact the school office.

Uniform is worn by pupils from Years R-11 (all classes except Phase 4 pupils on our Tonbridge site) and provides our pupils with a sense of belonging and pride in being part of Oakley School.

Our uniform comprises of:-

a school logo sweatshirt
white school logo polo shirt
black / grey trousers or skirt
dark blue gingham summer dresses
black shoes or black trainers

P.E. kit:

navy shorts
school P.E. T-shirt
trainers or plimsolls

Only the sweatshirt, polo shirt and white P.E. T-shirts have the school logo and so have to be purchased from the School.

Please make sure that all items are clearly marked with your child’s name.

Backpacks with the school logo are also available to purchase.

Phase 4 Tonbridge Site

Post-16

Pupils in Phase 4 are not required to wear a school uniform. However, the clothing worn by pupils must be appropriate, safe and practical for school use.

Jewellery: A minimal amount of jewellery is permitted. Pupils who have pierced ears may wear small studs but not hoops. All jewellery must be removed for PE.

A selection of Second Hand uniform is available from the Friends of Oakley (PTA) for a donation.

Uniform Pricing and Order Form

Caterlink School Menu - November 2024 - March 2025

School Meals

Free School Meals

You may be able to get free school meals for your child(ren). There is now a quick and easy online application system which enables you to apply direct to KCC – no need to go through the school office.

Apply for Free School Meals

From September 2024 Caterlink will be the provider of school meals.

The price will be £3.35.

Payment is made via the Arbor app or Arbor Portal.

Oakley School as a Nut Free School. This issue affects pupils and adults, and we would ask that everyone supports and respects this to keep our school community safe.

Home/School Agreement

Please find below the current version of our Home School Agreement. This outlines how we will work in partnership to meet the needs of our pupils.

After School Clubs

After School Clubs currently run in Phase 2 (Mondays) and Phase 3 (Thursdays) on the Tunbridge Wells site and Phase 4 (Thursdays) on the Tonbridge site.

Activities include art, crafts, baking, music/dance, games and in the warmer months, trips out in the local community.

Clubs run from 3.15pm to 5.00pm. Pupils attending can bring a change of clothes. A drink and snack will be provided. Children need collecting from school promptly at 5pm. The cost is £3.50 per week for each child attending. This can be paid weekly or in advance via Arbor.

We write to families inviting them to sign up for after school club, places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis initially and then on a rota basis.

Free School Transport

If you live further than 3 miles from the school, the Local Authority can arrange school transport for your child.

Further information about how to apply can be found on the KCC website:

https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/school-transport/free-school-transport#