Fir vale prospectus online

e l a V r i F s y m ctu e d pe a c ros A is y P s Oa imar Pr

Oasis Community Learning Every Person Matters When I was a teenager I used to attend a local church-based youth club at the weekends.

There I learnt two important lessons in life. The first was that the 15-year-old girl that I started going there in an attempt to woo, wasn’t the least bit interested in becoming my girlfriend. To her I was a non-entity – a mere 14-year-old! But the second was that I am made in the image of God and that as a result, my life, just like each life, has purpose and meaning. In short, I learnt that every person matters.

So it was that I became inspired to create ways to help build communities where everyone – both young and old – had hope, felt they mattered and were given the opportunity to achieve to their full potential. As a result, in 1985 I set up Oasis; a charity which now provides education, housing and healthcare around the world.

Oasis Community Learning, part of what was by then a family of Oasis charities, began its life in 2004 with the goal of developing a number of Academies across the UK. And, just like the rest of Oasis’ work around the world, right at its heart are the same values. Inspired by Christ, we are committed to valuing all, protecting rights to freedom and choice, working against discrimination and exclusion, respecting the beliefs of others and nurturing confident and competent young people.

That’s why Oasis Academy Fir Vale’s purpose is to provide a rich and balanced educational environment

– academically, vocationally, socially, morally, spiritually, emotionally and environmentally for all our students.

That’s why we aim to develop informed and active learners who can explore questions, seek answers and solve problems – students who will care passionately about their neighbour, their community and their planet.

That’s why, through high-quality facilities, outstanding staff and clear leadership, we work to create a positive and affirming environment, encouraging partnerships between students, parents/carers and the wider local community.

That’s why Oasis Academy Fir Vale’s goal is to provide a welcoming environment for students of all faiths and none, as well as for their parents and carers.

The Oasis Educational Charter spells all this out in much more detail. You can download this from our website www.oasisacademyfirvale.org. However, it is all summed up like this: We are community - we are relationships We are learning - we are achievement We are unique - we are inclusive We are enjoyment - we are perseverance We are hope - we are future We are Oasis.

Steve Chalke MBE Founder of Oasis

A Message from the Principal Thank you for taking the time to have a look at our Prospectus.

It is designed to give you an overview of Oasis Academy Fir Vale so that you have some key facts about the school to get started on.

Once you’ve looked through it, please take a look at our website www.oasisacademyfirvale.org which gives further practical information about the school.

Additionally, we warmly welcome and encourage you to come and visit us for a tour of the school. You can arrange this through our school office (0114 201 2300), and we will be delighted to see you and to answer any questions you may have.

The relationship that we have with you – the parents and carers of our students – is extremely important to us because it’s only by us working together, as a team, that children can achieve their social and educational potential and become good citizens, leading happy and rewarding lives when they leave school. We understand that, as parents and carers, nothing is more important to you than ensuring that your children have the best chance in life. That’s why keeping your children safe and continually stimulated to learn, is our top priority.

Your school is part of your community and Oasis Academy Fir Vale is, and very much wants to be, part of your community.

An outstanding school is one where everybody associated with it works together as an effective team with the aim of helping your children achieve their academic and social potential so that they can have better tomorrows and turn their ambitions and dreams into realities.

You will often see me at the school gates in the mornings before school starts. If you happen to notice me and would like a quick word or just want to say hello, please don’t hesitate to do so. We are all here not just for our students but for you as well. When it comes to doing the best for your children, I know that you will be there for us and this means a great deal to all our staff.

We are all looking forward to getting to know you and to working with you. A very warm welcome to Oasis Academy Fir Vale.

Best wishes

Helen Round Principal

We aim to:

At Oasis Academy Fir Vale we want our children to be happy, enjoy coming to school and thrive emotionally, socially and educationally.

• Create a love of learning • Encourage language development and purposeful talk • Provide a safe, stimulating environment and promote care, respect and empathy • Develop lifelong learning skills • Provide high quality learning and teaching so that children achieve their best and progress well • Celebrate and develop individual skills and interests • Support children to attend school regularly

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About our Academy Oasis Academy Fir Vale is situated in the Page Hall area of Sheffield. Oasis Academy Fir Vale was a brand new build and opened in September 2014 in association with Sheffield City Council to address the need for additional places in the area. We value each individual family and we welcome children regardless of need, background or ability.

Oasis Academy Fir Vale provides education for children from Nursery to Year 6 (3 to 11 years).

We believe children learn best through exciting, first hand experiences that promote language development, challenge thinking and provide opportunities to apply skills in context. We believe children should have opportunities to work individually and in small groups to develop independence, perseverance, communication skills and respect for each other. Purposeful talk is at the heart of everything we do. Learning is organised into cross curricular topics. Academic skills are also taught in focused sessions to make sure all children progress well. We are passionate about achieving the best for every child.

Admissions Statement Students admitted to the Academy are allocated places in accordance with the Local Authority’s Admissions Policy.

For further information on this please click on the following website: www.sheffield.gov.uk/education/ or call them on: 0114 2735766

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We aim to provide opportunities for children to develop their individual skills and interests through the curriculum and also through after school activities focused on sports, music, art and cooking.

If you have concerns we encourage you to make an appointment at any time during the year to discuss anything connected with your child’s education or wellbeing. Parents’ evenings are held termly to discuss your child’s progress. Full reports are sent home at the end of the academic year. Every Friday we hold a whole Academy assembly to celebrate the week’s achievements. We also hold stay, play and learn sessions throughout the year based on different curriculum areas.

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Academy Day

Reception

8am

Breakfast club

8.50am

Registration

8.30am

Main gate opens

11.45pm

Lunch

3.15pm

After school activities

12.40pm

Registration

2.50pm

Story

3.15pm

Home time

Nursery Morning session from 8.30am to 11.30am

Reception children have whole class or small group teaching at the start and end of sessions and access to free flow continuous play based provision in and outdoors

Afternoon session from 12pm to 3pm

Years 1, 2 & 3

Years 4, 5 & 6

8.50am

Registration

8.50am

Registration

9:00am

Assembly

9.00am

Assembly

10:15am Break

10:30am

Break

12.00 noon

Lunch

12.15pm

Lunch

1:00pm

Registration

1.15pm

Registration

3:00pm

Story

3:00pm

Story

3.15pm

Home time

3.15pm

Home time

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Registration and late arrival The Academy is committed to encouraging children to attend school regularly and we aim to work in partnership with children and families to achieve this. It is really important children don’t miss out on important experiences in school and that they have the best possible opportunities to learn, develop and make friendships. We praise good attendance and punctuality in our weekly Celebration Assembly.

It is essential that your child arrives on time every day so they do not miss out on learning.

• The Academy gates open at 8.30am

Anyone arriving after 9am must go to the Academy reception and inform staff that they are here and the reason why they are late. It is better to come late than not to come at all.

If your child is ill you must telephone reception before 9.15am. If your child is not in school we will contact you by telephone or in person at your home to find out why.

Any child arriving after 9.15am will be recorded as an unauthorised absence for the morning session unless an acceptable reason is given. Unauthorised absence is followed up by our Academy team, reported to Local Authority and can result in a fine.

• Registration in the morning for all year groups except Nursery is 8.50am

Illness during the Academy day If a child becomes ill during the Academy day we may need to contact you to come and collect them.

Please ensure that we have your up-to-date contact details. The decision to send a child home will be taken by a member of the Academy Leadership Team.

Children leaving the Academy other than at official times must be signed out at the main office. Should a child be injured at the Academy and need hospital attention, they will be taken to hospital by car or an ambulance will be called, whichever is considered appropriate.

The Academy will contact the child’s parents/ carers immediately.

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Should it be necessary, the Principal, Assistant Principal or any other member of the teaching staff will act in loco parentis. Serious accidents will be recorded in the Official Accident Book. Parents/carers will be informed of less serious injuries or incidents during the Academy day when they collect their child or by phone.

Child absence in term time The law is clear that parents/carers do not have the right to take their child out of the Academy during term time.

In exceptional circumstances an Academy Attendance Officer may authorise a short period of absence.

However, the criteria for allowing such absences are clearly defined and independent written evidence must be produced by the parent/carer regardless of the exceptional circumstances. On considering a request for

leave of absence, an Academy Attendance Officer will take the child’s previous attendance figures into account.

If parents/carers wish to apply for a leave of absence for their child during term time, they must fill out a Request for Leave of Absence form. This will be assessed and counter-signed by an Academy Attendance Officer. This form will state on it the reason(s) why a request for leave of absence has been granted or not.

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Contact with parents/carers Children achieve more when both home and the Academy work together. We aim to work in close partnership with parents/carers. You are welcome to raise any questions or concerns that arise with staff.

Teaching staff are available at the end of the day or by appointment. The Principal or the Assistant Principal is normally available at the start of the Academy day, to clarify information or respond to any issues. This is a very busy time for class teachers so unfortunately they may not be able to respond to concerns at this time.

If you have any concerns at any time during the academic year please speak to your child’s teacher or contact the office to arrange an appointment at a mutually convenient time so that you will be free from interruption. We will also contact you if we have any concerns about your child.

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Each term teachers send home a curriculum newsletter which will tell you what children will be learning and give you some ideas for how you can help at home.

If you have concerns we encourage you to make an appointment at any time during the year to discuss anything connected with your child’s education or wellbeing. Parents’ evenings will be held each term to discuss your child’s progress. Full reports are sent home at the end of the academic year. Additionally, interim progress reports are issued at the end of the Autumn and Spring terms for children in Year 2 onwards.

Every Friday we hold a Celebration Assembly to share the week’s achievements. We also hold stay, play and learn sessions throughout the year based on different curriculum areas.

Uniform Children are expected to wear full Academy uniform every day.

• Navy polo shirt for PE (with Academy logo)

The uniform consists of:

• Black PE shoes

• White polo shirt (with Academy logo)

• PE Kit bag (with Academy logo)

• Navy Blue sweatshirt (with Academy logo)

• School book bag (with Academy logo)

• Black shorts, trousers or skirts • Black or white socks • Black smart shoes

• Navy PE shorts for PE

Trainers must not be worn as part of school uniform.

Sweatshirts, polo shirts, shorts and bags with the Academy logo can be ordered at reception.

• Blue and white gingham dresses can be worn in the summer

Jewellery Jewellery is not permitted except for children with pierced ears, who may wear studs on those days when they do not have swimming or PE. Earrings must be removed for PE lessons. If a child’s ears have very recently been pierced they may wear their studs provided that they are covered with tape by parents/ carers, before they come to the Academy. Once the lesson is over they may remove the tape.

A normal watch may be worn once a child is able to use it correctly. This must be removed for PE lessons.

Children with long hair should tie it up. This is essential for PE lessons.

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PE Kit Children need navy shorts and a navy polo shirt for PE. They also require plain black PE trainers or pumps.

Healthy Meals and Snacks The Academy operates a healthy eating policy.

Personal Property Items of personal property should not be brought into the Academy unless there is a special reason and authorisation has been given by the class teacher. Mobile phones are not allowed. The Academy accepts no liability for the loss of personal possessions. Please help us by labelling your child’s belongings, including their Academy uniform.

At lunchtime we encourage children to have an Academy meal. These are cooked on site and are nutritionally balanced and always offer a choice. Menus are available from reception. Alternatively, children can bring a packed lunch. Please note that children are not allowed to bring crisps, sweets or chocolate into the Academy.

Children should bring plain water to drink during the day in labelled bottles. These should be taken home and refilled each day. No other drinks are permitted.

Charging We charge towards the cost of coach and entrance fees for trips out of the Academy. Parents/carers cannot be required to pay for activities that take place during the Academy day but trips may not be able to take place without sufficient voluntary contributions.

We ask for contributions for: • Extra instrumental lessons • Some extra-curricular clubs (to cover the cost of materials and equipment) • Educational visits (linked to topics) • Residential visits • Visits to the Academy by theatre companies, performers or special visitors

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The Curriculum at Oasis Academy Fir Vale At Oasis Academy Fir Vale we believe that our children learn best through: • Exciting, first hand experiences that promote language development, challenge thinking and provide opportunities to apply knowledge, skills and understanding in context

• Experiencing a wide range of activities that develop learning across the curriculum • High quality discrete lessons that teach key skills such as phonics, reading, writing, spelling, grammar, handwriting and maths • Opportunities to develop skills for lifelong learning

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Subjects At the heart of everything we do is the promotion of a love of learning, language development and skills for lifelong learning.

Children in Nursery and Reception follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Learning is organised into Prime and Specific areas and includes: Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Literacy, Mathematical Development, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design. Staff plan carefully for children’s next steps in learning and children have access to free flow, play based continuous provision both in and outside.

From Year 1, the Academy’s curriculum is planned to include all aspects of the subjects outlined in the National Curriculum 2014. This includes: Maths, English, Science, Design and Technology, History, Geography, ICT/Computing, Art, Music, Physical Education and Languages (Key Stage 2). Religious

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Education is also taught. Some subjects such as Maths and English are taught daily. Others are planned for over the year through whole Academy themes and topics. Different teaching methods are used at different times in the Academy. During a week, a mixture of whole class, group and individual teaching and learning will be used, depending on which is most appropriate.

We plan learning through cross curricular topics. We aim to engage children through real life experiences at the start of a new topic and take account of where children are in their learning journey. We believe that learning in one area enhances learning in another and that children need time and space to be able to apply skills in context and deepen their knowledge and understanding. Topics covered have been carefully chosen because they exemplify some of the values we

believe are important for children’s future well being and success.

We place a strong emphasis on developing children’s understanding of their own and others’ needs and feelings through a programme of PSHEC (personal, social, health, education and citizenship). This may be taught as discrete lessons, integrated into others subjects, and also promoted through assemblies and day-to-day events in our Academy life. Fundamental British Values also underpin our curriculum and include providing opportunities for children to learn about democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and develop tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

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Skills Based Curriculum Every day the amount of knowledge in the world grows.

At Oasis Academy Fir Vale we believe that it is important to teach children the skills to be able to find out and use the knowledge that they need, when they need it. Our teaching is focused on developing skills for lifelong learning as well as subject specific skills.

Enterprise Education At Oasis Academy Fir Vale we believe that we have an important role to play in equipping children with the skills they will need to have successful and rewarding futures.

We place a high priority on developing enterprise in its widest sense. The Academy is currently working to embed enterprise projects into all year groups.

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Sex and Relationships Education Sex Education forms part of the health and science curriculum. Children learn about relationships within a moral, familyorientated framework. They learn about themselves and other living organisms as part of the life and living processes elements of the science curriculum. In Year 6, the Academy nurse talks to the children about puberty. Children are also taught about how to keep themselves safe.

Parents/carers are informed of this and given the opportunity to discuss the resources and content of these lessons.

Parents/carers have a right to withdraw their child from sex education and may discuss this with the child’s class teacher.

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Home Learning

Collective Worship

We expect children to reinforce and extend the learning they are doing in the Academy, at home. The amount of time children are expected to spend on formal learning at home increases as they go through the Academy.

Children are expected to read, learn spellings and practise times tables daily. In addition, they are encouraged to reinforce learning in current topics at the Academy and ideas for home learning are provided through year group curriculum newsletters and stay, play and learn sessions.

Awe, wonder and worship take place daily from Monday to Thursday in assembly time. These are broadly Christian in tone but explore other cultures and beliefs as well as providing a chance to discuss moral issues. Parents/ carers and friends of the Academy may be invited to attend these from time to time. On Fridays we hold a celebration assembly led by the Principal.

Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their children from acts of collective worship. If you wish to do this, you should discuss this with your child’s class teacher.

Extra-Curricular Activities We encourage children to take part in activities in and outside school to develop their individual skills and interests.

This includes opportunities to take part in activities focused on sports, art, music and cooking. The Academy can provide access to peripatetic music teachers if parents/carers wish to buy extra music lessons. Activities may take place after the Academy day and we may ask for a small contribution towards the cost of them.

Sporting Aims Children at Oasis Academy Fir Vale are encouraged to participate in a variety of sporting activities both in and outside of school hours. When children are in Year 4 they will attend swimming lessons which is a compulsory part of the curriculum.

We encourage children to do their best at all times. We also believe that children should learn to enjoy taking part and that winning is not the only mark of achievement. The Academy is a member of the local schools sport partnership and benefits from participating in a range of organised competitions and sports festivals.

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Our Commitment to Equality Equality and inclusion are at the heart of Oasis. We have a passion to include everyone and a deep desire to treat everyone equally. We accept others for who they are and respect differences.

Our aim is to provide exceptional education for all our students. Our way of doing this is to work hard to improve students’ attainment and the standards of teaching and learning continually. At the same time, we also aim to meet the needs of the whole person and the whole community because we understand that the whole of life is education and that everyone who is part of a student’s life affects that student’s understanding of life and, therefore, his or her education. In this sense, every person matters.

The Equality Act 2010 gathers together various different pieces of equality legislation which have been developed over a number of recent years. It sets out some key equality provisions for the delivery of education and a requirement

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for public bodies to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relationships between different groups. Against the background of the UK’s increasingly diverse communities, Oasis recognises that this Act plays a major role in recognising the UK’s historic commitment to tolerance.The Equality Act 2010 is, therefore, an important and significant piece of legislation for Oasis because its key provisions underpin the aim of Oasis itself: an equal and inclusive society in which difference is understood and respected. This Academy is committed to meeting its obligations within the law and being a good expression of Oasis’ own commitment to equality.

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Special Educational Needs We aim to meet the needs of all individuals within our Academy. Occasionally some children experience greater difficulties in aspects of their learning than others. These children are offered extra support within their class. They may be identified as having Special Educational Needs.

In line with the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice these children are placed on the Academy’s SEN register. Their progress is closely monitored and reviewed

Gifted and Talented The Academy keeps a register of children who have specific talents or gifts in order to better meet their learning needs.

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at regular intervals. Individual Education Plans may be written for children with Special Educational Needs and are reviewed with parents/carers at Parents/carers’ Evenings or by arrangement. If necessary the Academy is able to access many support agencies in order to help meet their needs.

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Behaviour School rules/standards of behaviour We expect high standards of behaviour at all times. We model and teach children how to follow the Academy rules and refer to them frequently. We encourage children to develop self-discipline and to care about themselves and others, respecting their rights and feelings.

We aim to involve children so that the rules and expectations are meaningful and understood. We aim to work with each individual child to find out about their interests, strengths and barriers to learning so we can support them to learn and progress well.

There are five core rules throughout the Academy: 1. We always speak and listen to everyone respectfully 2. We always take pride in and look after our Academy 3. We always look after the people in our Academy 4. We always do our best learning 5. We move calmly around our Academy

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Children who follow these rules consistently are rewarded in a variety of ways including praise, smileys, house points, golden tickets, post cards home and golden time.

Golden time is a chance for children from different age groups to come together to pursue a wide variety of self-selected individual interests for example, sports, ICT activities, arts and crafts, construction kits, comics, music and dance.

Children will be given warnings if they choose not to follow the Academy rules and expectations. These will be used to make sure the child understands what they are doing, what rule they are breaking and what is expected of them.

For children who are repeatedly not following the rules these sanctions will be applied: Step 1 Green Card - miss all breaks for one day, letter home and no after school club Step 2 Yellow Card – as above plus discussion with parent

Step 3 Blue Card – as above plus one day internal exclusion Step 4 Red Card - as above plus one day exclusion with the parent and Academy council informed in writing.

Yellow, blue and red cards are given for repeated patterns of noncompliance, bad language, aggressive behaviour, wilful damage or theft.

An exclusion can also be issued in exceptional circumstances where extreme behaviour gives the Principal no alternative or where a serious incident has to be investigated.

Individual behaviour reports for short periods of time may also be used on occasion to encourage positive behaviour and discourage inappropriate choices. Through discussion with the child and family, individual targets are set and monitored by home and school. This would be reviewed at the end of the week in a meeting with the child, family and staff member.

Oasis Academy Fir Vale and the Community The Academy enjoys close links with the local community and works closely with several local agencies.

The Academy aims to help children understand their own identity and to appreciate and value the diversity of people’s different backgrounds and circumstances.

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Complaints Procedure If a parent/carer is unhappy about something or has any concerns about anything to do with the Academy, they should communicate this as soon as possible.

In the first instance parents should discuss any concerns with the class teacher. Most concerns or issues can be addressed informally at this stage. Teachers are available for informal discussions at the end of the Academy day or by appointment.

If any issue remains unresolved, parents should arrange an appointment with the Assistant Principal. If it is difficult to discuss a matter with the class teacher, an appointment should be made directly with the Assistant Principal.

The Assistant Principal will investigate any concerns raised and inform the parent of their findings. In most cases, the issue will have been resolved by this stage. However, if parents are still unhappy, they should make a formal complaint in writing addressed to the Principal.

If all the above stages fail to resolve the issue, parents should make a formal complaint in writing addressed to the chair of the Academy Council. The Academy council is responsible for acknowledging, investigating and responding to such formal complaints about the Academy.

Further details are available in the Academy’s Complaint Procedure available by request from the main office.

Availability of Documentation Parents/carers should note that the Academy has a great deal of documentation. Essential policies and information are available by request from the main office or through the Academy’s website: www.oasisacademyfirvale.org Principal: Helen Round Telephone: 0114 201 2300

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How to contact us: Prinicpal: Helen Round

If you wish to know more about Oasis Community Learning – part of the Oasis group of charities please contact us at:

If you have a query regarding Oasis Academy Fir Vale please contact the Academy office on 0114 201 2300

75 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HS www.oasisuk.org/education Registered number: 5398529.

Oasis Academy Fir Vale Owler Lane Sheffield South Yorkshire S4 8GA

Oasis Academy Fir Vale Owler Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S4 8GA 0114 201 2300

www.oasisacademyfirvale.org