P rospectus

O a k w o o d
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Oakwood School
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CEO
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Oakwood
Set in the heart of central Scotland with
excellent transport links to all parts,
Oakwood is a co-educational school, providing
education for pupils from age 7 to 18.
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Established in 1996, and having been in
the present location since 2004, it provides
education for pupils from the Brethren
community from a number of diverse
locations throughout Central Scotland.
We have the advantage of the whole-hearted
support of parents and the wider community
who participate in many of the school’s
activities. This in turn translates into greater
commitment on the part of the pupils who
not only achieve above average results in
formal examinations but also, in taking
responsibility for their own learning, become
equipped for dealing with the challenges they
face in the wider world after leaving school.
We hope you find this prospectus stimulating,
and are pleased to extend an invitation to you
to visit and find out more about our school.
John Steven
CEO
History and Governance
Oakwood School
Oakwood Education Trust was established in 1996 in response to the
aspiration of the Brethren community in Scotland to provide their children
with quality teaching in a safe and stimulating learning environment.
The Trust has overall responsibility for the operation and governance
of Oakwood School, leading the continuing development of the school’s
vision and responding to the needs of a growing school roll of pupils and
staff. The Board of Trustees meet monthly and representatives of the
Board meet with senior management each week.
At Oakwood, the Trust is affiliated to Focus Learning Trust, a UK based
charitable organisation. This organisation offers guidance by giving
professional direction and support in our education programme,
connecting 30 Secondary and 32 Primary schools across the UK.
Focus Learning Trust is the UK arm of OneSchool, the international
support network for education in all our schools.
The Falkirk Campus opened in August 2004 and currently provides
full-time education from Years 3 to 13 for 128 pupils. There are 25
teaching staff.
Miss Morag MacDougall
Deputy Head Teacher
(Primary)
Mr Dugald MacGilp
Deputy Head Teacher
(Secondary)
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Junior School
The Junior School opened in August 2006, initially with 18 Year 5/6 pupils and 2 teachers. The roll
has now grown to 56 pupils with 8 members of staff – a sign of the confidence parents have in
us providing a quality education for their children. Oakwood Education Trust has ensured that the
purpose-built facilities provide an excellent environment for pupils and staff. All classrooms have
interactive whiteboards, are extremely well-equipped and have a range of excellent resources.
The Junior School follows the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence which gives sound preparation
for entry to the Senior School at Year 7. We provide a broad and varied curriculum which is
supplemented with many enrichment activities.
Our dedicated staff work closely as a team and plan collaboratively, giving opportunity to
share ideas and maintain continuity and progression. Staff regularly attend a variety of CPD
courses ensuring their awareness and knowledge of local and national developments remains fresh
and innovative.
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Although inspected by HMIe, as part of Focus Learning Trust we are subject to inspection by their
Quality Assurance team. In a recent inspection the Junior School performed very well with most
lessons judged as having outstanding features. Other areas of strength highlighted were
enterprise, key skills in literacy, numeracy, speaking and listening, use of displays, planning, and
relationships between staff and pupils.
High standards of discipline and behaviour are expected and maintained.
Our pupils are keen to learn and contribute and enjoy taking on positions of responsibility, such
as in the Junior School Pupil Council and ECO committee. An example of the success of their role is
the development of our garden and outdoor learning area.
“The whole primary school is bright, colourful and child
friendly. The displays are designed and completed by the
pupils with a little guidance from the teachers. Pupils’
artistic skills are developed successfully and they are
excited when they see the completed wall display of their combined efforts.”
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Senior School
Curriculum
The school’s provision for our pupils’ spiritual, moral and social development impacts
productively on attitudes and behaviour. This provides a sound basis for academic and personal
achievement, and was commended as a “significant strength of the school” in our recent Focus
Quality Assurance Inspection.
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Pupils in year 7 to 11 follow a common curriculum which is a rich amalgam of the best in English
and Scottish educational heritage, guidance and initiatives. This allows for provision of timetabled
Citizenship Education with strong links to the PSHE, Science and Humanities syllabi.
Key stage 4 pupils study for ten GCSEs, with an excellent record of attainment. Typically our pass
rate is 100%, with 80% at grade A* to C. On average, 90% of the year 11 cohort gain five or more
passes at grades A* to C including English, Mathematics and Science, well above the national
average for a non-selective in-take. All pupils are taught in mixed ability classes. As is normal
practice, the subject teachers, following tailored ‘Individual Education Programmes’, provide
the first line of support for pupils with Additional Support Needs. Bespoke, in-depth support is
available with one-to-one teaching.
Since inception, the school has striven successfully to enrich and broaden the post-16 provision.
The choice available from A-levels, BTEC/NQF vocational qualifications and ASDAN ‘Certificates
of Personal Effectiveness’ allows all pupils the opportunity to realise their potential, while gaining
certification to tertiary education matriculation standard.
Extra-curricular Activities
The curriculum is enriched by giving every pupil in the Junior and Senior Schools the opportunity
to discover and explore new experiences, interests and talents through a variety of activities,
day trips and events. This provision reflects the entitlement in Scotland to learning that develops
essential skills for life, skills for work, and an active and healthy lifestyle.
Pupils achieve success in different areas of activity such as musical instrument tuition.
Participation in musical and dramatic performances involves all ages in productions for the end of
term shows. This also reflects the strong commitment from pupils, staff and parents alike.
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On Open Days, pupils contribute to the immediate community, taking a high level of
responsibility. This develops home school links by extending the warm hospitability of the school to
our visitors. Pupils also contribute effectively to the wider community in which we live by planning
and running charity events, successfully raising funds for organisations such as the RNLI and the
Haiti Appeal.
Both Junior and Senior School pupils are involved in working towards the achievement of
Eco Schools status. They are developing their skills in independent work and in working effectively
as part of a team, for the benefit of the whole school.
The school trips programme takes advantage of our
central location to broaden our pupils’ knowledge of
their place in Scotland. We visit several sites, including
significant
institutions
such
as
the
Scottish
Parliament, which encourages pupils’ ability to apply their
own learning in new situations.
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Oakwood School
Bog Road
Laurieston
Falkirk
FK2 9PB
Telephone: 01324 630733
Proprietor:Oakwood Education Trust
Fax: 01324 619759
Email: oakwood@focus-school.com
Registered
Charity:SC024571
CEO:Mr John Steven
Head Teacher:
Oakwood School
Vacancy