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November 2013

Oasis Academy Romford A New School for Romford Welcome from our Founder, Steve Chalke
Welcome to Oasis Academy Romford, a brand new primary school opening in the heart of Romford in 2014. Opening with an initial intake of 90 Year R pupils, the new school will be a three Form of Entry, inclusive, non-selective, co-educational school. It will be a school which local children can walk to, and where every child and their family will be known by name. At Oasis Academy Romford we are creating an outstanding centre of educational excellence for all. It will be a healthy, safe, caring environment where community is paramount and where every child can reach their full potential. We will offer a holistic approach to pastoral care and each child will have a personalised learning plan. We are currently exploring the possibility of having nursery provision for children aged between 2 and 4 Years, with up to 60 full-time places. Further details will be available early in 2014. Oasis vision is to create a new academy based on the belief that all pupils, regardless of background or ability, should be able to fulfil their potential as they develop aspirations, self-belief, justice and respect for community and one another. We hope our new primary school will inspire responsible and empowered citizens of the future. We will support all pupils, including those with special educational needs, through creative teaching methods and the effective use of technology. Our public consultation is open from 18th November 2013 to 3rd January 2014. I look forward to hearing your response to our proposal.

Oasis Community Learning (OCL)

Oasis Community Learning, a multi-academy educational trust, that has built on its success to be a family of academies with 36 schools open, and more in development. It is part of the Oasis group of charities, founded in 1985 by Steve Chalke. Rooted in Christian values Oasis works to support communities, in partnership with local organisations, by delivering housing, training, youth intervention projects, family support, food banks for those experiencing hardship, social and health care. In the UK Oasis employs more than 5000 staff as well as working with thousands more volunteers. Oasis also works in nine other countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. We are proud of the progress and increasingly high standards within our family of primary academies. Over the last two years, Oasis Academy Johanna and Oasis Academy Limeside have exceeded national average and achievement measures. This has led to Oasis Academy Limeside receiving its third consecutive Outstanding OFSTED judgement. This Academy has been granted National Teaching School Status. Of the Oasis primary academies who have joined us in the last year, we are delighted to report that, as a group, they have exceeded the national average progess measures in Reading, Writing and Maths. This is a significant achievement in such a short space of time. Oasis is commited to raising educational standards and developing wider community engagement. Without compromising our commitment to educational improvement, we focus on the task of creating integrated services which cater for the wider context of our students lives, as well as those of their families and communities.

The Academies Annual Report 2011 notes Oasis to have made the highest level of improvement than any other academy chain.

Our new academy in Romford

Oasis Community Learning is delighted to have been pre-approved by the DfE to open a brand new primary academy in Romford. School place planning projections for the London Borough of Havering show that there is a critical need for a new primary school in the centre of Romford. The recent regeneration of the town centre and development of new housing has brought significant numbers of new families into this area. Our aim is to build on the expertise of our current family of primary schools to create a new academy which will both meet this critical need for primary school places and offer families a new, outstanding primary school for their children. The current regeneration of this area of Romford presents significant opportunities for the community; our vision is to make sure that local children and their families can benefit from these. Oasis will develop a community Hub around the new academy in partnership with local statutory, community and voluntary organisations. Oasis Hubs are centres of activity that provide integrated, high quality and diverse services to benefit the whole person and the whole community. In Romford, drawing on Oasis experience of more than 28 years in family, youth and community work we will adopt a holistic approach, offering a diverse range of provision to students, their families and the wider community, for example holiday clubs, youth groups, debt advice, and a Foodbank. We are keen to develop relationships with local stakeholders in delivering services to the community. As part of our consultation meetings we would love to hear any ideas you may have so we can enhance the life of the academy.

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Claire McAslan Principal Designate

We are delighted to have appointed Claire McAslan to the post of Principal Designate of Oasis Academy Romford. Ms McAslan, who will take up her new post on 1st January 2014, is currently Deputy Head of Queensbridge Primary School in Hackney. A graduate in Art History and Medieval Art History of St Andrews University, she has a distinguished track record in primary school leadership, having held leadership posts in three London primary schools and is a graduate of the National College for School Leaderships Tomorrows Heads professional development programme. Ms McAslan has been instrumental in raising teaching and learning standards in her previous schools, making significant gains in pupil achievement. She has a particular interest in curriculum development and in implementing innovative approaches to the use of ICT in the classroom.

The Curriculum
Oasis Academy Romford will be located in our London and South East region. The academy will benefit from school to school support from our other London-based academies, and joint staff INSET and training days. School improvement and educational standards will be overseen by our Regional Academies Director. The new academy will be supported by a range of services including HR, Finance, ICT provided by colleagues based at the Oasis Centre in Waterloo. Oasis Academy Romford will teach an exciting and creative curriculum that takes into account the latest research on how our children think and learn. We will encourage our learners to achieve their very best and to ensure they develop their skills and talents in all aspects of intellectual, social and physical development. We will ensure there is a rigorous focus on literacy and numeracy so that all children exceed national expectations.

In time, the Academy will be divided into the following stages:

1. Early Years Foundation Stage Reception (4-5 years) 2. Key Stage 1 Year 1 (5-6 years) and Year 2 (6-7 years) 3. Key Stage 2 Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (8-11 years)

The curriculum will be divided into six areas of learning and development:
Personal, social and emotional development Communication, language and literacy Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy Knowledge and understanding of the world Creative development Physical development

The learning environment will be carefully planned to support the learning and teaching in the core curriculum areas so that children can become independent and motivated learners who fulfil their true potential. Children will be able to access a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities including a breakfast and after-school club, homework club, sports, music and the arts.

Location of the Academy

The proposed location for the new school is the former Oldchurch Hospital site on Union Road, Romford, RM7. Oasis is working closely with the Education Funding Agency to secure this site for the school. If the development of the new building is not complete by September 2014, there will be temporary accommodation within walking distance of the permanent site until the new build is complete. The temporary accommodation, if required, will be a high quality existing building, specially adapted for this initial period.

The Governance
The Academy Council will be made up of representatives from parents/ carers and staff. Alongside them will be other representatives from the local community and local businesses appointed for their skills, abilities and local knowledge as well as representatives from Oasis Community Learning and one from the Local Authority. If you are interested in hearing more about becoming an Oasis Academy Councillor, please contact Julie Clay, Project Manager (details overleaf).

Admissions
We are delighted to be working with the London Borough of Havering to coordinate admissions into Oasis Academy Romford for entry into Reception in 2014. Parents and Carers can apply online at www.eadmissions.org.uk or by using the paper form inside the London Borough of Havering booklet Starting School in Havering. The closing date for applications for a place in Reception in September 2014 is 15th January 2014. A copy of our full admissions policy and our Parent Information Booklet can be downloaded at: www.oasisacademyromford.org. Alternatively, please telephone our admissions team on 020 7921 4655 and we will post this information to you. The PAN (Published Admission Number) for 2014-15 is 90 Year R pupils. A copy of the admissions policy is available on request or to download from our website. In the event of the school being oversubscribed, the following oversubscription criteria will apply: 1) Looked after children and children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order). 2) Exceptional medical or exceptional social grounds, (supporting medical or other evidence must be provided at the time of application). 3) The attendance at the school of an older brother or sister. 4) The distance of the home address from the school, as measured by a straight line from the school, those pupils living nearer the school being given higher priority. We will be holding a final set of admissons meetings on Thursday 9th January 2014 from 4:00pm-5:00pm & 6:00pm-7:00pm - venue to be confirmed.

Oasis Academ y Romford will be totally inclu welcome rega sive: all studen rdless of startin ts are g point, need o r complexity.

Special Educational Needs

All Oasis academies are caring communities which aim to promote mutual respect and understanding and an effective education for all our students. Oasis Community Learning believes that all children and young people should be equally valued and therefore will do all we can to promote equality of opportunity and outcomes, and to help develop a learning environment where all children and young people can flourish and feel safe. All young people should have access to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum, with teaching and learning strategies that maximise achievement and prevent failure by removing barriers to learning and providing access to a wide range of learning challenges. At Oasis Academy Romford, where a child has a Statement of Educational Need or requires additional support to enable them to access the curriculum, we will aim to provide this through a constructive dialogue with parents/carers and social work and health professionals to ensure that the childs best interests are served. Where a child shows a particular talent or gift we will work with them to ensure they have every opportunity to develop this. A copy of our SEN Policy is available on our website: www.oasisacademyromford.org

Get Involved!
Parent Steering Group
We would love to hear your views and ideas for Oasis Academy Romford and would like to establish a Parent Steering Group to discuss the curriculum, uniform, building and other plans. If you would like to join this group, please contact Julie Clay.

Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like further information, please do get in touch with: Julie Clay, Project Manager, The Oasis Centre, 1 Kennington Road, London, SE1 7QP E-mail: office@oasisromford.org or telephone: 020 7921 4656 Please also look at our website for updates and admission information: www.oasisacademyromford.org www.oasiscommunitylearning.org Like us on Facebook: Oasis Academy Romford You can follow us on Twitter: @OasisRomford

Questionnaire
This questionnaire aims to help gather views on the new Oasis Academy. Your view is important to us and we welcome your response. Please fill out and return to Oasis Academy Romford, Freepost, RRKZ-CXXXLGGH Oasis, 1 Kennington Road, London, SE1 7QP. Please feel free to attach a sheet with additional comments if you would like. Alternatively, you can complete the questionnaire online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OasisAcademyRomford

About you...
1. What connection would you have with Oasis Academy Romford? Prospective Parent/Carer of a child at Oasis Academy Romford Parent/Carer of a child at a local Childrens Centre or Nursery Local Politician Staff/Governor at local school Member of the public Other, please specify ___________________________________________________

Your comments...
2. Do you think we should enter in to a funding agreement with the Secretary of State for this school? This is the contract between Oasis Community Learning and the Department for Education. (please go to www.education.gov.uk/ schools/leadership/typesofschools/freeschools/guidance/a0074737/ fundingagreement) Yes No 3. The development of the new Oasis Academy Romford to serve the local children is a good idea. Strongly agree Agree No view Disagree Strongly disagree

4. The academy would promote an ethos and attitude of inclusion, a can do culture, discipline and hard work. Do you agree with the choice of these principles? Strongly agree Agree No view Disagree Strongly disagree 5. If you are a parent/carer, are you considering Oasis Academy Romford for your child/children? Yes No Please tell us why; __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 6. The academy would have strong links with the wider community in Romford and would offer activities in the local community. Which of the following facilities would you be interested in being provided? (Please tick as many as you wish) Organised sports facilities Organised music/dance activities After school clubs Breakfast clubs Half term and holiday activities Internet facilities Education (e.g.evening classes, School Hall or meeting room hire adult education) Please list any other activities you would like to see; __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Many thanks for completing the questionnaire. Please return to: Oasis Academy Romford Freepost, RRKZ-CXXX-LGGH Oasis, 1 Kennington Road, London, SE1 7QP.