Oaklands School
Building Foundations for Fulfilling Futures
Oaklands School
Building Foundations for Fulfilling Futures
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Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Autism Acceptance Week
Thu 10 Apr 2025Last week we had our sponsored colour walk and our Autism fair. Thank you to everyone that supported these events in any way - we raised a massive £4572!
To find out more click the link below
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Spring Newsletter
Wed 02 Apr 2025Dear Parents /Carers,
This term has seemed to go by very quickly, probably due to the large number of amazing learning opportunities our children have been involved in. We have had World Book Day, a day of dance, visits to the park & the library, and trips to TESCO.
This week, we have our Autism Acceptance Week activities. Thank-you to everyone who has been raising sponsor money for the Colour Walk tomorrow, Wednesday 2nd April. We hope that this raises lots of money and awareness. We also look forward to seeing parents/carers on Friday 4th April 10-12pm for our big Oaklands Autism Acceptance Event. There will be lots of services in school that day with information & advice on a range of SEND issues.
We have enjoyed meeting many more parents/carers this term at our workshops & recent Parent Forum. It is always valuable to share experiences and learn from each other as well as hearing about what happens in school and the support available from other services locally. We also look forward to seeing parents at our Celebrate and Learn sessions over the next week.
Attendance: Our whole school attendance figure continues to be at 89%. We are not far from that target of 92%, so let’s try and get up to 90% before Easter! Thank-you for your efforts to get children to school every day. We recognise that this is not always easy. However, as you will appreciate, good attendance has a positive impact on your child’s progress, so please do keep up the hard work.
Measles: If your child has not had their Measles vaccination, or anyone in your family is not sure of their vaccination status, it's important that you contact your GP. They will be able to either provide information about your vaccination status or organise your vaccination for you. The vaccination is FREE. Measles is extremely infectious and can be serious.
Symptoms include: high fever; sore red, watery eyes; coughing; aching and feeling generally unwell; a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the first symptoms. More information can be found at www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/
We hope that all families will have a restful break over the next two weeks. School closes on Friday 11th April 2.30pm and opens again on Monday 28th April 8.45am.
There are a number of activities happening in Leicester over Easter:
Free Activities in Leicester for Disabled children and their peers:
Disabled Children's Activity Programme - Easter Holidays 2025
Children with disabilities who live in Leicester city can take part in FREE activities over the Easter holiday. Activity sessions will take place at Thurnby Lodge children, young people and family centre on Tuesday 15 April and Tuesday 22 April from 1.30 to 4.30pm. Please note siblings are welcome to attend, and parents/carers are required to accompany and support their children during the session.
A food hamper will be provided to those families attending where their child is receiving benefits related free school meals. No booking is required, however, those attending will be asked to complete a registration form on arrival. Full details can be found at:
families.leicester.gov.uk/disabled-childrens-activity-programmeAlso available:
https://bamboozletheatre.co.uk/event_category/outdoor-sessions/
https://www.mosaic1898.co.uk/childrensservices
https://www.newleaftrianglecic.co.uk/holiday-sessions
https://www.sense.org.uk/our-services/centres/sense-loughborough/
https://families.leicester.gov.uk/things-to-do-and-activities/disabled-childrens-activity-programme-easter-2025/
https://news.leicester.gov.uk/news-articles/2024/march/find-free-family-fun-at-city-s-libraries-and-museums-this-easter/Safeguarding Support: If you have any Safeguarding concerns during the Easter break you can call the Leicester Duty and Advice service on 0116 4541004; this is for Social Care support or Early Help support if you are having a crisis. The service is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
If you would like to speak to a member of the School’s Safeguarding team, our number is 07549084022
We wish you a lovely Eastertime with your child, whether sharing books at home, playing sensory games or exploring outdoors, we hope you have fun together!
Regards
Sarah Osborne
(Headteacher)
Parent/Carer Courses in Leicester:
Introduction to Autism: Parent Workshops School Years 1-11 (delivered in Hindi)Parent Autism Workshops: For families of autistic pupils in years 1 to 11. Training will be delivered in Hindi only (suitable for Gujarati, Punjabi and Urdu speaking parents who understand the Hindi language)
Dates: 4 day course
Thursdays: 1st May, 8th May, 15th May and 22nd May 2025
Time: 9.30-12.30pm
Venue: Face to face. Belgrave Sure Start, Cossington Street, Leicester. LE4 6JD
Who is it for: Parents & carers
Families (of no more than 2 adults) can sign up
Fee: Free
Areas Covered:
•To develop an understanding of Autisms.
•To identify how autism can affect families.
•To have information about what is available for families in Leicester city and beyond.
Course Outcomes:
•Gain a better understanding of autism.
•Provide families with information.
•Signpost to support organisations.
•Gain an understanding of what is meant by Social Communication.
•Provide practical ideas and strategies to support your child.
•Gain a better understanding of Sensory Processing in autism.
•Explore your child’s sensory differences.
•Provide practical ideas and strategies to support your child.
•an understand of what is meant by emotional regulation.
•Provide practical ideas and strategies to support your child.
This course will be delivered by the LCI Team. (Pravina Parmar)
Cues Training (Coping with Uncertainty in Everyday Situations)
Who is this course for: Parents (Same parents to attend all 8 sessions)
Dates: Course of 8 sessions
Summer terms
30th April 2025,
7th May 2025, 14th May 2025, 21st May 2025,
4th June 2025, 11th June 2025, 18th June 2025 and 25th June 2025
9:00 -12:00
Cost: Free to Parents attending
Venue: Training Room 1.2, New Parks House, Pindar Road, New Parks, Leicester. LE3 9RN.
Areas Covered:
Coping with Uncertainty in Everyday Situations (CUES)
The CUES intervention programme supports parents in gaining confidence in their ability to recognise and manage their child's difficulties with uncertainty through group learning opportunities.
A parent-based programme of intervention based on CBT principles, focusing specifically on intolerance of uncertainty for young people with ASD experiencing anxiety
Course Outcomes:
To help parents develop an understanding of uncertainty and its impact, try out strategies and share opportunities for discussion and support
This course will be delivered by Ollie walker LCI Team.
To book either course please visit the link below
https://send-leicester.bookinglive.com/send-courses/courses-for-parents
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Measles
Thu 20 Mar 2025Re: Measles
Dear Parents/Carers,
I am writing to you as we have had a case of Measles reported in our school this week and therefore want to ensure that all parent/carers are well informed to help us keep our school community safe. We have a number of staff and children who are considered medically vulnerable and so we are asking all parents and carers to check for symptoms so to prevent it spreading. Please read this letter carefully & do not send your child into school if you think they have any symptoms of measles.
Measles
Measles can spread very quickly and easily in communities such as schools amongst people who have not had two doses of the MMR vaccine. Measles can cause serious illness needing hospitalisation – and in rare cases it can cause death.
People in certain at-risk groups, including babies and small children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of complications if they catch measles. Anyone who missed their MMR vaccination can get measles.
Vaccination with TWO doses of MMR is the only way to give people maximum protection.
If anyone in your family is not up to date with their MMR vaccinations, contact your GP surgery to arrange vaccination as soon as possible.
Symptoms of measles Symptoms appear between 7 to 10 days after some becomes infected. Typical symptoms include;
• cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a cough
• sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light
• watery eyes
• swollen eyes
• a high temperature (fever), which may reach around 40°C (104°F)
• small greyish-white spots in the mouth
• aches and pains
• loss of appetite
• tiredness, irritability and a general lack of energy
What to do if you think your child has measles
• contact NHS 111 or phone your GP surgery. If you do need to visit a GP or hospital, you must call ahead to let them know that it could be measles. The staff will make special arrangements to see you and/or your child so that, if they have measles, they won’t pass it to other people.
• If you think your child may have measles, it is very important that they do not attend school. They must not return until at least 4 days after the rash appears, because they will still be infectious which means they can spread measles to others.
• It is also important that anyone suspected of having measles isolates at home and does not mix with others at all.
Please contact the school to let us know if you are keeping your child at home because that have any symptoms.
Vaccination
The MMR vaccine protects against 3 infections: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). These are viral infections that can quickly spread to unprotected children and adults – they spread more easily than flu or the common cold.
For people who do not touch any pork products, there is a version of the MMR vaccine called Priorix which has no pork ingredients. You can request Priorix from your GP. You can have the MMR vaccine at any age. It is safe, effective and free of charge.
To protect the staff and pupils and prevent onwards transmission of Measles, if your child is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated (not received two MMR doses) and shows any of the symptoms below, no matter how mild, it is important that you please keep them away from school for at least four days (as the rash usually appears a few days after the cold like symptoms) or until they have fully recovered. If your child also develops a rash, they should stay away from school for at least FOUR days after the rash has appeared.
More information on measles and MMR
• NHS measles information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/
• NHS MMR information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/
• UKHSA leaflet on measles (also available in a range of languages): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-dont-let-your-child-catch-it-flyerfor-schools
We thank-you for your support,
Regards
Sarah
Sarah Osborne
(Headteacher)
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Local Offer Live Event
Thu 27 Feb 2025Dear Parents/Carers,
The Local Offer Live Event is taking place in Leicester next week. Please see the poster for further information
Feedback from previous Local Offer events that families have attended are that they have found it a useful place to speak to service providers and find important information about special educational needs and disability, to support them on their child or young person’s journey.
The QR code takes you to the Local Offer page where the schedule for the day and a list of service providers attending is shared.
Regards
Sarah
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Operation Encompass Information
Tue 21 Jan 2025Operation Encompass Information
Dear Parent/Carer,
All Leicester Schools are part of Operation Encompass, a safeguarding initiative with the aim to improve outcomes for children and families affected by domestic violence and abuse.
This scheme is designed to provide early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents that might have an impact on a child that attends their school.
All public agencies currently share information where there are safeguarding concerns or risk of harm to children and the Police currently share information on all incidents of domestic abuse in Leicester with Leicester City Council.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (Headteacher) will be informed when any domestic abuse incident has been reported to the police if one of our pupils was in the household. It will not give any details about the incident. We know that domestic abuse in a household can have a big impact on children, even if they do not see what is happening. The information will be used to ensure that the school is able to provide appropriate support to the pupil. The information will remain confidential and only shared on a strictly need-to-know basis, for example with the class teacher.
We have been advised by the Police not to contact families following an incident, however, if you wish to speak to the school about it, please do call and ask to speak to a member of the senior leadership team or our Family Support Worker, Mala Chohan.
If you would like to speak to someone in confidence about domestic abuse, call the Leicester, Leicestershire& Rutland Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 802 0028 or visit https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-community/emergencies-safety-and-crime/domestic-and-sexual-abuse/
We strive to offer the best support possible for our pupils and Operation Encompass provides an effective way of the school being able to support a child at what may be a very difficult time.
Regards,
Sarah Osborne (Headteacher/Designated Safeguarding Lead)
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Whole School Newsletter
Fri 06 Dec 2024Please click the link below to read our whole school Christmas Newsletter
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Upsetting National News regarding a special school in London
Wed 27 Nov 2024Dear Parents/Carers,
I am writing to you as many of you will have seen the horrific images in the National news yesterday or today about the historical abuse of pupils at a special school in Walthamstow, London. This was shocking to us all, and undoubtedly may have caused you concern.
I wanted to reassure you that the staff team at Oaklands treat all pupils with dignity and respect at all times. Everything we do is driven by our unique values which is underpinned by having a deep understanding of SEND, autism and the individual learners needs. Our positive behaviour policy means that no child would ever be left alone or isolated and our school does not have a 'calm room' like the one referred to in the press footage. In addition, we have robust recruitment processes to ensure that the staff who work at Oaklands have gone through rigorous safeguarding checks. Our policies can be found on the school website here: https://www.oaklands.leicester.sch.uk/policies/
All of the staff who work at Oaklands care deeply about each of our pupils and we have been equally distressed to see a school in the news with such upsetting safeguarding failures.
If you wish to talk about any of our policies, please do feel free to call the school to speak with a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Regards
Sarah -
Post-16 SEND Transport Consultation- Have your say!
Sun 10 Nov 2024SEND Transport Consultation- Post 16 transport
Dear Parents/Carers,
I would like to draw your attention to the SEND transport consultation that opened on 7th November.
Please view the news release here: - Consultation under way on school transport funding.
As you may be aware, Leicester City Council’s budget is in crisis and it is expecting a substantial gap between its spending and its income in 2025/26. Consequently, the council is exploring ways in which it can reduce cost.
The council currently spends more than £4 million a year on the transport costs of around 500 young people with SEND. The funding for Post-16 SEND transport had been due to end in July 2024, following a consultation that took place two years ago. However, after concerns were raised by many special school parents/carers about the process, the council announced that funding would continue for the 2024/2025 academic year, and a new consultation would take place.
The proposed new policy includes the general withdrawal of support for Post-16 transport for the academic year 2025/26 onwards. It also sets out in detail where exceptions will be made to this, however, these exceptions will mean that only a very small percentage of SEND pupils will meet the criteria for transport support and this would take the form of a Personal Transport Budget only.
The new consultation asks for views on this revised SEND transport policy, and how it will impact parents and children.
The council is not required to provide Post-16 school SEND transport, and receives no funding from the Government to do so. Therefore, without strong opposition to their proposed new policy, transport for SEND pupils post-16 may be withdrawn. I would strongly encourage you to have your say in this consultation. Whilst this policy does not affect the transport for your child whilst they are at Oaklands School, we feel that it is important that you as parents/carers of future Post-16 SEND transport users have a say. This will affect you and your child when they are 16 yrs old.
The consultation will run until 2 January 2025 and can be found on the council’s website here: Leicester City Council - Citizen Space
If you have any questions about this or would like to speak to me about it, please do call the school office.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Osborne
(Headteacher)
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Penalty Notice Fines for School Absence are Changing - Autumn 2024
Fri 12 Jul 2024With the introduction of the new National Framework for Penalty Notices, the following changes will come into force for Penalty Notice fines issued for unauthorised absence that occurs after 19 August 2024.
Per Parent, Per Child
Penalty Notice fines will be issued to each parent, for each child who was absent. For example: 3 siblings absent for term time leave will result in each parent receiving 3 separate fines.
5 Consecutive Days of Term Time Leave
Penalty Notice fines will be issued for term time leave of 5 or more consecutive days, and for fewer days where this has happened before.
10 Sessions of Unauthorised Absence in a 10-week period Penalty Notice fines will be considered when there have been 10 sessions of absence in a 10-week period.
First Offence
The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child when paid within 28 days. Reduced to £80 per parent , per child if paid within 21 days.
Second Offence (within 3 years)
The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child when paid within 28 days. (No option to pay at £80 level).
Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years)
The third time an offence is committed for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance a Penalty Notice will not be issued. The case will proceed to the Magistrates’ court. Magistrate’s fines can be up to £2,500 per parent, per child. Cases found guilty in Magistrates’ Court can show on the parent’s future DBS certificate and may impact on job applications and travel abroad.
Court prosecutions
Penalty Notices will not automatically be issued. Parents are advised that where the LA considers that a Penalty Notice is not appropriate due to the level of concern about a child’s absence, prosecution action may be taken.
By law, all Penalty Notice payments go to the local authority and not to schools.
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IQM
Mon 10 Jun 2024We are pleased to announce that we have successfully maintained our flagship status for the Inclusion Quality Mark after our recent review. To see the full report please click on the link below
