Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Students are great ambassadors for Oakley School

  Thu 15 Jul 2021

  On Friday, 9th July Farah Class went on a trip to Riverhill Himilayan Gardens.  The students had a great day and their Class Team were so proud of them for being so kind, considerate and polite all day. They showed brilliant teamwork building dens and they loved getting lost in the maze too!   Farah Class Teacher received a lovely email from Kate at Riverhill who ran a workshop with the Class in the morning. She said…

   

  “ Total pleasure to have you all here today. Really hope they all had a wonderful day. Just wanted to say again what a lovely group of young people they were; smart, funny, engaged and polite. Teenagers sometimes get a bad press but it was a total joy to spend time with them this morning.“

  

• Schools Environmental Challenge 2021 - Oakley School awarded GOLD!

  Thu 15 Jul 2021

  An amazing collaboration between Phases 2, 3 & 4 has resulted in Oakley School being awarded GOLD in the Schools Environmental Challenge 2021.  The Challenge required us to submit a portfolio with the following evidence:-

   

  1. How the school seeks to encourage wildlife (flora & fauna), e.g. Bird Feeders, wildflower meadow, pond, bug hotels etc.

  2. How the schools educate young people in the needs of the natural world (schools website, action plans, ECO Schools, Exo Warriors or another area of information would suffice).

  3. A short 1-page action plan.

  4. A map or drawing of the school grounds showing areas of biodiversity and the habitats being maintained or created.

  5. A list of the species the children/students have identified.

  6. Information as to any native plantings carried out, such as native hedgerows or trees.

  7. What measures are taken to monitor the school or wider environment – Weather Stations etc.

  8. What actions are being taken to reduce the school's environmental impact?  -Recycling, conserving energy, water harvesting and/or other actions that reduce the human footprint.

  9. Any actions to encourage additional species visiting the school grounds.

  10. Awareness and protection of visiting wildlife such as foxes, bats and badgers.

  11. Level of external support e.g. volunteers, parents & information regarding grants or external funds received.

   

  Congratulations and Well Done to everyone involved!

   

  

• Artsmark GOLD!

  Wed 07 Jul 2021

  We are delighted to share that Oakley School has achieved Artsmark GOLD in recognition of how we incorporate the Arts in our Creative Curriculum.

  

• Skills for Life and Independence.....

  Mon 05 Jul 2021

  Some of them might be leaving at the end of the academic year but our Phase 4 students are still working hard.  Last week Holmes Class were split into two teams to work on their problem solving skills.  Using spaghetti and marshmallows their aim was to construct a tall and strong tower.  Both teams were very competitive and their Class Teacher couldn't choose between them.

  

• Phase 4 Students visit Aspens

  Thu 17 Jun 2021

  On Wednesday, 16th June Holmes class went to visit Aspens (the charity which they fundraised for).  Robbie the CEO presented them with thank you certificates and Susan showed them round.  The students really enjoyed their day, asked pertinent questions, toured the facilities (including the small animals area and meeting Valerie the pig) and were actively engaged in the maze, obstacle course and the outdoor gym.  They were fantastic ambassadors for the school.

   

  

• National Bee Day

  Thu 20 May 2021

  Today (20th May 2021) is National Bee Day. Last week Ash Class made bee waterers in Forest School to help our bees drink safely. Today they put them out in the garden so that the bees can have a lovely, safe drink.

  

• Schools Wild Challenge Award

  Tue 04 May 2021

  Since October, Phase 2 have been working on the RSPB Schools Wild Challenge Bronze Award during their Forest School lessons. Six activities, three aimed at Experiencing Nature and three at Helping Nature. They have made Bird Food, Hedgehog Houses and a Compostarium, they have been on a Mini-beast Safari, done some Wildlife Detecting and joined the Big Bird Watch. Last week they received their Bronze Award certificate with a special mention for how well they have adapted to the challenges in the current circumstances and what brilliant work they have done. Every child in the Phase has taken part in several activities  during the last seven months.  Well done Phase 2!

  

• Phase 3 transform main garden with a little help from our friends!

  Thu 15 Apr 2021

  Our Phase 3 pupils have been working hard on the main garden. It has been transformed from a muddy vegetable patch into a sensory garden bed with woodchip, log stepping stones and butterfly friendly plants from Notcutts. All of Phase 3 have been involved in preparing the garden. They carried and laid the stepping stones in a curved pattern that walks you through the new garden bed. They helped to plant the new grasses and shrubs, bedding flowers and some lovely scented lavender and thyme. They then wheelbarrowed LOTS of woodchip to lay around the log stepping stones and plants to prevent the weeds from coming up as well as giving the garden an added texture. We think you'll agree - its quite the transformation!  Special thanks to John Robinson at Down to Earth Trees for the free stepping stones and Treework for the free woodchip. 

  https://www.instagram.com/dtetrees/ and https://www.treework.co.uk/

   

   

  

• Raising money to support our local community

  Wed 31 Mar 2021

  In the last couple of weeks Holmes Class have been working on their enterprise skills and have planned, organised and ran two events to raise money for Aspens.  They have raised an incredible £104 and that's before the two additional events they are planning for the Summer.  The students received a wonderful e-mail from Aspens, thanking them for their support.

  

• Oakley raises money for Comic Relief

  Thu 25 Mar 2021

  Oakley pupils and staff embraced RED NOSE DAY on Friday, 19th March.  Children donated £1 to wear their own clothes with a mixture of silly socks, mad hair and red garments.  Staff wore red noses (not easy with face masks), wigs and silly socks, much to the delight of the children, particularly at morning transport! There were lots of fun activities during the day, including cake decorating, sensory play and so much more. In total we raised £247.77 - thank you to everyone who supported us.