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OFSTED ReportWelcome to Oak Bank School
A special message from the Headteacher
For those of you who do not know about Oak Bank School, we are a special school which caters for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties, including associated challenging behaviours. Many of the pupils that attend the school have additional special educational needs such as autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit and hyperactive disorders (ADHD) and speech, language and communication difficulties.
Places for pupils are commissioned at the school by several local authorities, Including Central Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Luton. All pupils who are referred to the school have an education, health and care plan.
Oak Bank is an Outstanding learning community (Ofsted 2015 & 2019) that engages pupils and develops positive attitudes to learning. The school currently has capacity for 127 pupils ranging from age 9 to 19. ‘The quality of education is outstanding and life changing’ Ofsted March 2019.
Staff at Oak Bank are confident and skilled in building positive relationships that help to break down barriers, build self-esteem and challenge disaffection. Teachers and support staff at Oak Bank are highly trained to meet the needs of individual pupils.
Many of the pupils that attend Oak Bank have not had success in their education elsewhere. Through their attendance at Oak Bank, these pupils rebuild their trust and desire to learn. Our pupils achieve exceptionally well academically, from often lower-than-expected starting points. They leave school at Year 11 or after sixth form with relevant qualifications and work experience that helps them gain employment.
Our website provides only a glimpse into the range of our provision, ethos, activities and the fun that our pupils and staff enjoy as they learn. Please contact the school if you would like to know more.
Mr Phil Collier
Headteacher
Oak Bank School
4 days ago
Oak Bank Family: Re: Proposed Union Industrial Action (Strike)
You may have heard in the National Press that proposed stike action by the National Education Union (NEU) is set to cause disruption across the UK.
I write to inform you of Oak Bank School’s response should members within school join the industrial action. We have a large number of NEU members and an anticipated response is necessary to maintain a safe working environment with a forecasted reduction in teachers and teaching assistants.
Strike action is announced to take place on 1st February, 2nd March and 15th & 16th March unless a resolution is reached between the Union and the Secretary of State for Education. Strike action will likely affect all schools within Central Bedfordshire and it is difficult to predict the childcare implications placed on staff and familes with siblings in other settings.
My aim on the identified days of action for Oak Bank School to remain open to our fullest capacity whilst limiting the disruption to education. On the dates given we will rotate year groups out of school as necessary, similar to our response to staff absence during the pandemic. This proved effective at reducing impact to individual pupils and lessened the accumulation of days lost. It also avoided full school closure.
Please see the attached letter that has been emailed or posted out to all famillies and carers.
Kind regards
Mr Phil Collier
Headteacher
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Proposed Union Industrial Action Letter 19 01 23 (1).pdf
drive.google.com
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Oak Bank School
6 days ago
Oak Bank Family:
Central Bedfordshire - Parenting Insight
Parent session
Friday 10th February 2023
9.30-10.30am
Free to attend via Microsoft Teams
Register for you place via the Eventbrite link below
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/478164271207 ... See MoreSee Less
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Oak Bank School
6 days ago
Oak Bank Family:
Central Bedfordshire - Parenting Insight
Parent session
Wednesday 8th February 2023
4.00 – 5.30pm
Free to attend via Microsoft Teams
Register for you place via the Eventbrite link below
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/487573203577 ... See MoreSee Less
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Oak Bank School
2 weeks ago
Oak Bank Family: It is with deep sadness I write to let the extended Oak Bank Family know of the passing of Seb.
Seb joined Oak Bank as a puppy and was introduced to the pupils in January 2013. He was treated as a member of staff from the outset and what an amazing life he had!
Everyone from visitor, pupil or staff member will have a fond Seb memory. He was a constant source of joy, destruction, cuddles and smiles. He was a part of everything Oak Bank.
Feel free to reply with your fond memory. Whether that was him eating your hat, stealing your snacks, dressing up in art, running for charity, dragging you for a walk, supporting your day or invigilating your exam. We would love to hear as we aim to compile a memories book for reception. Something to celebrate an extraordinary dog and his positive impact to the lives of so many.
Seb has left everyone with a legacy that will endure.
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As most of the staff and students know, I was petrified of dogs before I started at OB and Seb changed that. He was the first dog I stroked, even if it took months before we got there, it happened! He TA’d in my lessons countless times (I don’t think Maths wasn’t his favourite subject though!) and it was amazing the see the impact he had on everyone’s lives ♥️
Seb arrived shortly after Charlie’s idea for the Raisbeck Award! I remember Charlie coming home excited the day Seb arrived, he was pulled into the office thinking he was in trouble where Mrs Freer was sat with him on her lap! Billy also loved Seb and will be very sad to hear this news! 💔
I remember going to a Conference in London near Fulham FC with the boss PC. A Headteacher from a primary special school gave a presentation entitled ‘Reading to the Dog’. At first I thought it was a joke but as was explained dogs don’t criticise or make comments but simply sit there and listen. Returned to OakBank and gave feedback to the SLT about the conference. Reading to the Dog was raised and Rach Freer offered to care for a dog if the school would buy it. And along came Seb.What a great addition to the OakBank team. When I shared an office with Seb, not that he shared an office with me, he took a liking to my bananas. He had a banana a day for breakfast for years. That’s why he had so much energy for those long walks, Hesky’s bananas. The only dog in the world to eat bananas I’m sure.How many walks around the field did Seb have with students in distress? Thousands. True legend of the OakBank family. That was my recollection. Will need clarification from the SLT gang to confirm. Long live Sebs memory in the hearts of those he crossed. H🐕🦺🐕🦺🐕🦺Y ❤️x
So sad, was a beautiful dog remember first meeting him as a tiny puppy. My boys loved him xxx thinking of everyone
So sorry for your loss he will be truly missed
So sorry to hear this he was an amazing dog and will be missed by everyone I am sure he will be a puppy again over rainbow Bridge love to you all 🥰
So sorry a truly beautiful dog. My daughter loved him and took him on walks to calm her down. RIEP Seb xxx
So sorry to read this , we met him when we visited and he really helped put logan at ease , 🌈
So sorry, thoughts are with you all. Met him on 1 of my boy’s transition days was lucky enough to get some fusses beautiful boy 💙
A true true ledge of Oak Bank, he was family to everyone he met R.I.P to the Booooy
Oh how sad. I bet he brought much joy to everyone. Run free over the rainbow bridge 🐾❤️
not seb💔 we will all miss you! hope pepper and miss freer are holding up okay💝
He did love a good bin rummage eating that days lunch😂, and the time he stole the mince pies off the desk 😂, he will be missed, sleep tight my old mate
Noooooo he was such a lovely dog hope pepper is okay
To Seb. He was a amazing dog and he brought joy 🥲 every time I will miss him from Jamie
Oh no RIP seb 🥺🥺🥺
😢😭❤
Seb 🙏🏼🕊️
☹️☹️☹️❤️❤️❤️
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