y: m e ad n
Ac arndo W
Oasis Academy Warndon Prospectus
A warm welcome to
Oasis Academy Warndon We are delighted that you are considering our academy for your children as we are extremely proud of all our pupils and thrive on seeing them develop happy hearts and enquiring minds.
• A passion to include everyone
We believe that strong foundations lead to promising futures. Our pupils experience outstanding teaching in a supportive, warm and caring environment, we hope that this prospectus reflects that and what we can offer your child/children. There is further information on our website www.oasisacademywarndon.org which is updated regularly.
• A deep sense of hope that things can be changed and transformed
We always encourage prospective parents and students to come and visit us to gain a sense of what we do in person. We feel that all staff and children at our academy have something very special here and we warmly welcome you to experience our values and culture in person. If you would like to come see us, please call the main school office to book a tour of the academy. When you become part of Oasis Academy Warndon, you are essentially joining a family. We believe that good relationships with parents and carers are key, as only by working together as a team, can we ensure that children reach their potential and gain the most enjoyment from their education. We care deeply about creating an exciting, innovative and inclusive learning environment centred around the Oasis ethos:
2
• A desire to treat everyone equally, respecting differences • A commitment to healthy and open relationships
• A sense of perseverance to keep going for the long haul We encourage personal growth and development using the Oasis 9 Habits; we believe that we can continually develop into the best versions of ourselves when we promote being compassionate, considerate, forgiving, honest, hopeful, humble, joyful, patient and self-controlled. I am confident that as you walk around our academy you will get a real feel for how we recognise and embrace our pupils as individuals and celebrate their achievements through regular assemblies and the ‘ 9 Habit Crackerjack’ awards. All staff thoroughly enjoy welcoming children safely into school each morning and our community approach and feel can be seen in all that we do. I very much look forward to meeting with you and hopefully welcoming you into our academy.
Suzanne Owen Principal, Oasis Academy Warndon
3
Welcome to
Happy Hearts Nursery and Early Explorers Pre-school We are a warm and welcoming nursery and preschool setting for children aged 2-4, open from 7:30am – 6:00pm. Our morning and afternoon only sessions run from 8:45am – 11:45am and 12:15pm – 3:15pm. Costings for sessions and availability can be obtained from the office if your child does not receive funding. The children start at Happy Hearts Nursery in a nurturing setting, which allows them to settle into the new routines. The nursery staff support children in making positive, long-lasting relationships, setting them up nicely for their next stages in life. Many of our children start in September but we also accept new applications throughout the year. We value every child for their individuality and know that each child will settle in their own way, so we work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition with key workers allocated to every member of our nursery family. From Happy Hearts Nursery, children progress to Early Explorers Pre-school the term after their 3rd birthday. This setting helps prepare your child to have the best start in their education – we provide many activities and a bright and stimulating environment, allowing them to thrive. We are also very happy to accept applications from new families into the pre-school stage mid-year. Our nursery and pre-school facilities have recently been extended with a state of the art extension and brand new playground area.
4
Learning At Early Explorers Pre-school we support every child as an individual, taking on board their needs and strengths, across development in all areas of the Early Years and Foundation Stage. The learning programme in our early years setting is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and is heavily play and exploration based. Our aim is to provide holistic learning in a safe, happy and stimulating environment through which all children are challenged and make outstanding progress. We develop confident, happy children, equipped with foundations to nurture a lifelong love of learning. We foster a harmonious atmosphere which supports and promotes self-esteem. This often goes hand-in-hand with developing confident communicators. You can find out more about our nursery provision on our website.
How to Apply for Nursery Applications for nursery places can be made directly to the academy. Please visit the website today or email us on admin@oasiswarndon.org for an application form. We look forward to hearing from you and meeting your family!
5
About the academy
Beginning a great journey together Our three-form entry, all-inclusive academy is based in the Warndon area of Worcester. We are an academy that is dedicated to helping all of our pupils reach their full potential from the moment they join us, whether that is at age two for nursery or reception age right up until they leave for pastures new in year 6, age 11. Community is a huge part of life here at OA Warndon, as we believe in supporting our parents and wider community through ‘Hub’ as well as our children at the academy. This community-based ethos is reflected in parents feedback, as we grow and deliver integrated support to all. Our most recent Ofsted awarded us with a ‘Good’ rating with enough supporting evidence to suggest that we could be judged ‘Outstanding’ at the next full inspection. Findings from the report identified excellent education, good leadership and pupils who enjoy their learning and provision; we strongly believe that the relationships our pupils have with their teachers is a key part of this. We are one family with one shared goal – to achieve, succeed and thrive together.
Facilities Our young people deserve the best. To support our teachers in delivering exceptional education, every classroom is fully kitted with state-ofthe-art equipment, such as Apple TVs, for interactive learning. Children and staff also have access to their very own iPad as part of Oasis Horizons, to help bring learning to life in class and at home.
6
At OA Warndon, every subject matters – including the arts and sports. We are fully equipped for school performances, drama clubs, art and design, and a wide range of sports for all seasons are provided as part of the curriculum offer and extracurricular clubs. We have beautiful outdoor spaces for Forest School and outdoor learning, as well as excellent sporting areas for recreation and our plentiful after school activities. There are numerous affordable trips for every year group throughout the school year too including a pantomime and residentials for the older children.
Working with Parents/Carers There is always an opportunity for families to get involved too. We offer frequent workshops in all year groups, providing the opportunity for you to celebrate your child’s successes and explore how you can support your child with their learning. Parents’ and carers’ evenings are held termly to discuss progress and annual reports are issued at the end of the academic year. There is also an open-door policy for parents and carers to engage with us.
My child attends the academy and has a diagnosis of ADHD. I feel that the provision has met his needs and supported both myself and him throughout his time here. I wouldn’t want to send him anywhere else Parent
7
Wrap-around Care
Life at
Oasis Academy Warndon Life at our academy is never dull, every day is different with opportunity around every corner.
Teaching and Learning Our lessons are tailored to the individual needs of our pupils. We focus on helping our children to develop and build the foundation of necessary skills for learning and retention. At OA Warndon, we offer a curriculum that will develop confident, independent learners and enable every pupil to achieve their best. Our lessons are diverse, fun and experiential, equipping children with skills and abilities to succeed in all environments. We challenge our children to think creatively and use self-reflection to celebrate their successes and build on their prior knowledge. All lessons are intentionally planned to structure deep learning through the 9 Habits lens. We focus on the development of positive/ growth mindset for learning, and our teaching is often integrated
8
with songs, games and quizzes in all year groups. Our pupils are kept on their toes with key topics of the term and opportunities to work in teams and present to the class. You can find out more about the curriculum later in this prospectus!
Lunches Our academy lunches are suitable for all dietary needs and are balanced and nutritious – we understand the importance of healthy eating and the effect it can have on learning! Pupils are able to choose what they would like from the daily menu, giving them autonomy, and are encouraged to sit together and dine as a school family. Pupils are also very welcome to bring in healthy packed-lunches, and our lunch staff are always on standby to support and help with a smile! You can find out more about our lunch menu and free school meals by visiting our academy website.
School begins at 8:45am and ends at 3:15pm, however we do offer wrap-around care for families that need it: Oasis Plus. Breakfast club starts at 7:30am, where children can get a healthy start to the morning before a day of learning. Pupils can enjoy cereals, toast, fruit and time with friends. Our after school provision runs until 6:00pm. Children are provided with a snack and a hot cooked meal if they stay for the later session, while having fun with their friends and enjoying extra-curricular activities. If you need this service please ask for a registration form at the academy office.
Enrichment and ExtraCurricular Activities At Oasis Academy Warndon every child has the chance to access a variety of enriching experiences from nursery through to year 6. Our Oasis Curriculum provides experiences in each year which help to consolidate the learning the children have
been doing in class. From visits to the farm right up to a three-day, two night residential in year 6. These opportunities help to promote character and confidence within our children. We also organise whole school enrichment days, or weeks in some cases, which are exciting ways to get our pupils interested in and inspired by the world around them. It is our promise to our children that throughout their time with us they all have the opportunity to go on exciting trips, learn an instrument, be part of a school production, give back to their community, and experience life-changing exciting learning. All children attend at least one trip or visit per term as well as a pantomime experience every Christmas. Pupils have the opportunity to join existing clubs at the academy, but also suggest new club ideas to our teaching staff. We have many exciting lunchtime and after school activities which include: Athletics, Football, Netball, Art Club, Drama Club and Reading club. We also organise special family days and events alongside the Oasis Warndon Hub.
Oasis Horizons Here at Oasis Academy Warndon, we want to take a step forward in our offer to our young people and their families, to ensure we address inequality that exists outside of the classroom, and to ensure that everyone has the opportunities that they are entitled to. Oasis Horizons is a scheme we are part of that will help to tackle this. Every pupil from reception to year 6 at the academy will be provided with an iPad to give them access to enhanced online learning. Pupils and teachers will be able to use the device together in lessons to bring subjects to life and participate in shared learning. The technology provided puts exceptional teaching and learning into the hands of every Oasis pupil at school, and at home no matter where they are in the country. With Oasis Horizons, our young people will have the opportunity to develop a firm foundation towards further education, or aspirational, fulfilling and prosperous careers. To find out more about the scheme, e-safety and device tracking, visit our website.
9
Supporting everyone (SEND)
Attendance
Inclusion is at the heart of every school day. This means whatever your child’s needs (be those social, academic or physical) we are supportive of all. We have programmes in place to support development in all areas of need and bespoke sensory areas to break away into during learning or play times. To find out more about our SEND and Higher Learning offer, please visit the website.
At our academy we believe that all students should be in school on time and present every day to achieve the most from their education. The academy holds attendance weeks throughout the year to promote and encourage a high percentage of attendance across the year groups. “Attendopoly” is played weekly in assembly, rewarding attendance. There are also regular attendance raffles, reward days and class challenges with a half term trophy. Each term ends with an attendance assembly and lots of cheering for the best year group!
The Oasis Entitlement All of our pupils enjoy the Oasis Entitlement, a guaranteed set of opportunities during their time at the academy: • Reading strategies so that every student becomes a fluent reader • Access to online learning • Access to high quality mental health support • Be a student leader or mentor • Be part of a school production • Be part of a school team • Play a musical instrument • Play an active part in a Hub project • Attend a residential trip • Visit the theatre, an art gallery and an museum • Visit universities and places of work
Hub The Oasis Warndon Hub is situated on the school grounds and is a welcoming, friendly face if you ever need any help, guidance or even just a chat. We know that excellent schools are only truly sustainable within happy and healthy communities. The ‘Hub’ provides wide-ranging, holistic and integrated services to support the whole family and wider community. It is our aim to support our community members to feel they are flourishing socially, physically, emotionally, spiritually, educationally, environmentally and morally. More information is available on our website.
Leaders are ambitious, thoughtful and have high expectations of pupils. They provide an excellent education which develops character and promotes a love of learning Ofsted
10
11
Our Approach
Teaching and Learning The 21st century world in which our children are growing up in has vastly changed. Therefore, it is essential that our children leave year 6 with the correct life skills and character traits that they will need to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life. Our curriculum covers all aspects of the National Curriculum and we strongly believe that all subjects areas taught at OA Warndon promote independence towards critical thinking and creativity. Core curriculum subjects include: English, maths, science, design and technology, history, geography, art and design and music. Physical education is also a big part of life here at OA Warndon as we prepare our young children for a long and healthy life. Our English and maths curriculums are carefully planned and structured using research in cognitive science to maximise learning. We encourage a growth mindset from both pupils and staff alike to gain the most out of their time together.
Our 9 Habit Curriculum: Developing Character in our Children At Oasis we have the 9 Habits that build on our school vision of Happy Hearts, Enquiring Minds and Promising Futures. Our 9 Habits are a huge part of the academy and enable our children to reflect on their character development at a highly in-depth level. Every child becomes what we call a ‘9 Habit Crackerjack.’ Our Habits are a big part of our curriculum lessons, and the children are encouraged to reflect on how they have developed habitudes at various points during the day. The links between character and core curriculum subjects are clear and intentional, through exploring habits such as being patient in Maths or exploring compassion when reading texts in English. For more information on our curriculum please see the academy website.
How to apply for a place To be part of something special, you can apply for a place at Oasis Academy Warndon today. Applications can be made via www.worcestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions We allocate places alongside the local government guidelines, more details can be found on the admissions section of our website. We do accept in-year admissions too – please contact the school office via email on admin@oasiswarndon.org or call 01905 453530 and speak to the admissions officer for further information.
12
13
A message from our CEO
I am delighted that you and your family are interested in becoming part of Oasis Academy Warndon. Oasis Community Learning was established as a Multi-Academy Trust in 2004 with the vision to create “Exceptional Education at the Heart of the Community”. We now run academies in four main regions throughout the UK, providing either Primary, Secondary or All-through education. All of our academies are committed to providing a rich educational experience and ensuring that every child and young person has the opportunity to achieve at the highest level. Our ethos is integral to that provision. It is an expression of our character, a statement of who we are and therefore the lens through which we assess all we do. We are committed to a model of inclusion, equality, healthy relationships, hope and perseverance throughout all aspects of the life and culture of each academy community. We passionately embrace learning and are committed to every child within our care reaching their full potential, developing holistically across every area of their lives both now and in their future.
14
All of this is underpinned by our philosophy of education which highlights our focus on inspirational leadership, deep learning and healthy communities. It aspires to develop the character and competence of every child within every community of which we are a part. At Oasis Community Learning therefore, we believe we are all ‘the architects of our students’ lives’ and as such we are committed to laying the right foundations for every one of our young people. So we look forward to your family potentially becoming part of Oasis, in the knowledge that we will work in partnership with you to ensure your children become confident learners ready to fulfil their aspirations in life. Best wishes, John Murphy Chief Executive Officer, Oasis Community Learning
A message from our Founder When I started Oasis back in 1985, I had no idea it would grow into the wonderful family of charities that it has become today. In Oasis Community Learning, we are the country’s second largest provider of Academy schools, educating around 25,000 children and young people. Through Oasis Aquila Housing, we provide housing for vulnerable young people. With Oasis Community Partnerships we run social projects – from community farms and coffee houses to churches and children’s centres – and much more besides. And we do this in communities as diverse as Gateshead in the North East to Bristol in the South West. So, the question is…why? Not only do we believe your child should receive the very best formal education, but also that there is more to a healthy life and future than simply the knowledge they hold. Every one of us is a product of the community in which we live. That is why Oasis is passionate that every community served by one of our Academies should be a happy, healthy place where every person is included and valued, and has the ability to thrive and achieve their full, God-given potential.
That is why Oasis’ vision not only aims to deliver outstanding education, but also to help build great local neighbourhoods. We are motivated by our core Christian ethos which means that we believe every person – those of all faiths or none – are equally valuable and have a part to contribute in helping this vision become a reality. Helping a young person realise who they are meant to be is about more than simply the qualifications they get or the job they want; it’s about how they see themselves and those around them. That’s why Oasis’ goal is to help create great communities where every young person achieves their best, respects themselves, values those around them and contributes to the good of all. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to an Oasis Academy in order to experience this for yourself.
Steve Chalke, MBE Oasis Founder
15
: emy n d a Ac ndo War
Oasis Academy Warndon Edgeworth Close Warndon, Worcester WR4 9PE e: admin@oasiswarndon.org www.oasisacademywarndon.org @OasisWarndon OasisAcademyWarndon
ity mun Comearning L
If you wish to know more about Oasis Community Learning – part of the Oasis group of charities – please contact: The Oasis Centre, 75 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HS @OasisAcademies www.oasiscommunitylearning.org