FAQs

As the children move from year group to year group their experiences change as we pack more into the school day. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly if you need any further information about any aspect of the education we provide. We are always on hand to support parents as their child progresses through each stage of his/her education with us.

School FAQs

What extracurricular clubs does the school offer?

We offer a wide range of extracurricular activities that start in Reception with Busy Bees and Wild Woods. The number of clubs available to the children increases as they move into KS1, and then again when they enter Year 3 in KS2.

We aim to cater to the interests of all the children so we offer sports activities such as football, karate, netball, cricket, rounders, gymnastics and cross country; languages such as French and Spanish; expressive arts clubs such as Speech and Drama, creative writing, dance, art and cookery.

All clubs are incredibly popular and parents are asked to book in advance.

What is your policy on behaviour management?

We adopt a positive approach to behaviour management, offering praise and rewards to motive the pupils at all ages. Some of these rewards include merit badges, certificates and stickers.

We emphasise the importance of good manners and teach children to understand and manage emotions such as jealousy and anger.

We have a comprehensive Anti-Bullying policy containing effective strategies that can be implemented if required.

Do you offer before and after school care?

We have a Breakfast Club from 7.30am until 8.40am each morning and an After-School Club that runs until 6pm. These are run by Oaklands staff for children from 3 to 11 years.

For Breakfast Club drinks, breakfast cereals and toast are provided each morning. Children are given a range of activities after breakfast that engage them until the school day begins at 8.35am.

Our Teatime Club is staffed by the same team, and provides sandwiches and fruit every afternoon. Homework can be completed in the quiet area and there is a variety of activities on offer.

It is advisable to book into these clubs via the School Office, either on an occasional, regular or daily basis.

What happens if my child needs extra support?

We are fortunate to have a well-resourced Learning Support team, coordinated by our SENDCo. We have a large number of Teaching Assistants who work in a variety of classes. All work is routinely differentiated to meet the range of abilities of our children so that they are all able to access the curriculum.

Our specialist staff give one-to-one targeted support to pupils to help them make progress. We also have specialist dyslexia teachers who provide lessons for some of our pupils and undertake assessments if necessary.

What are lunches like?

The children receive a snack at morning breaktime with a drink of milk or water.

We have a wide range of food on offer at lunchtime freshly prepared by our Chef and his team. There is a daily choice of a hot main meal with a hot vegetarian alternative, together with a cold buffet that includes filled baguettes and a wide variety of salads. A daily pudding choice is available or plenty of fresh fruit and yoghurts.

There are many members of staff on duty to help children with their choice of food and to ensure that they eat a balanced meal. We always encourage children to try new food. Our team is used to catering for all dietary needs.

What links are there between school and parents?

Parents have the opportunity each day to talk to the class teacher either in the morning or in the afternoon. We are very happy for parents to contact us to make a longer appointment if they need a more detailed conversation with the form teacher or a member of the senior team. The Headmistress is readily available to see parents about a variety of matters.

We have at least one formal communication with home each term, which takes the form of a short report, full report or parents’ meeting. There are regular newsletters and the website is always updated with information and news. We have a text messaging service and we email letters and news home.  We also tweet our news!

There are termly drop-in mornings for Early Years, Infant and Junior parents to visit the classrooms and annual coffee mornings for all parents to chat with the Group Managing Principal and Headmistress about school.