Latest News

Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• THURSDAY UPDATE

  Wed 28 Feb 2018

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  This week we have seen some severe weather across the County. This hasn't affected Dartford as much as we had thought, however, it has been snowy and icy enough to cause disruption. Roads have been treacherous and paths have been even more so!

  At 1:00pm today, I have made the decision to keep all three schools - Oakfield, Temple Hill and West Hill closed for another day. Therefore we will be closed on THURSDAY 1st MARCH to all staff and pupils.

  The reason I have taken this decision now is that the Met Office forecasts are not looking promising. Yesterday, it took many staff hours to return home in very dangerous conditions, and so when I am making my decision as to whether to remain open or not, I must consider the staff as well as the pupils and parents.

  I am hoping by making this decision now, it will give all parents more opportunity to make plans for Thursday. I am aware that this decision will be inconvenient for some, however, I must consider the needs of staff, parents and pupils when making a decision. I will make a further decision about Friday at 3:00pm pm Thursday.

   

  I hope you get some time to enjoy the snow with your children!

   

  Kind regards,

   

  Garry Ratcliffe

  Executive Head and CEO, The Galaxy Trust.

• Severe Weather Plans

  Fri 23 Feb 2018

  Severe Snow/Ice Plan for Parents and Families

   

   

  Every winter brings the possibility of snow and ice. Extreme bad weather can cause widespread and prolonged disruption. Schools are often affected and it can be difficult to maintain an education service.

   

  As a fundamental principle every effort must be made to keep schools open, even if only limited numbers of pupils can attend. However, schools may close due to ‘unavoidable’ circumstances. Those circumstances being that it is no longer safe for staff or pupils to be onsite.

   

  We recognise that it is important that our school remains open so parents are able to work and pupils can continue to learn. Oakfield Primary Academy will make every effort to prepare for severe snow/ice this winter by gritting pathways, and clearing access points etc.

   

  How will you let me know if the school is closed?

   

  However, if we do experience severe snow/ice resulting in hazardous conditions, we may have to take the decision to close the school. Once this decision has been made we will notify parents via the Kent Closures website. To determine whether the school is open or closed please visit www.kentclosures.co.uk. Search for the school in the search box. The Kent Closures website can also be used to find out if other services in Kent are open or closed, such as nurseries, children’s centres and libraries. We also recommend parents sign up for SMS/ Email alerts on the Kent Closures website. This service will send an SMS or email alert to let parents know if the school is closed. Parents can also listen to KMFM, BBC Radio Kent or Heart FM to hear if the school has closed.

   

  What can you do to help?

   

  • Please visit https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/what-we-look-after/winter-service# for more information about gritting routes and travel issues around Kent so you can plan your journey.

  • Please can you provide a packed lunch from home in case school meals cannot be provided – this information will always be on the closures website under “additional information”.

   

  • Don’t forget suitable warm clothing – gloves, hats, scarves, wellies etc. or even a change of clothing.

   

  • If you are a working parent or feel you may have a problem with a sudden earlier pick up, please could you put a back-up plan in place with another family member or parent and inform the school. This will allow staff to leave earlier for their safety if weather dictates.

   

   

  Many thanks for your support in helping Oakfield remain open during periods of severe snow/ice.

• Headlice

  Wed 21 Feb 2018

  Dear parents and carers,

   

  Several cases of headlice have occurred in some classes recently. Would you please check your child's hair tonight and if your child requires treatment, please follow the instructions below.

  Dear Parents/Carers

   

  HEADLICE

   

  A case of headlice has occurred in your child’s class.  Would you please check your child’s hair tonight and if there is evidence of head lice then please follow the instructions below:-

   

  • Wash the hair in the normal way with an ordinary shampoo

   

  • Use lots of hair conditioner but before rinsing this out comb through the hair from the roots with a fine tooth comb.  Make sure the teeth of the comb slot into the hair at the roots with every stroke

   

  • Clear the comb of lice between each stroke using a paper towel so you can see if any lice have been removed

   

  • Wet lice find it difficult to escape, but hair which is slippery from conditioner makes it harder for them to keep a grip – so removal with the comb is easier

   

  • If you find any lice, then repeat this routine every 3-4 days for 2 weeks, so that any lice emerging from eggs are removed before they can spread.

   

  It would be so helpful if all parents checked their children’s hair and take appropriate action where necessary, this would mean far fewer incidents of headlice occuring.  Unfortunately it only takes one non-vigilant parent who does not check or undertake treatment causing the problem to start again.  So please take responsibility for your own child and check his/her hair frequently.

   

  Many thanks for you continued support and co-operation in this matter.

   

  Yours sincerely

   

  Jason  Pearn

   

  Jason Pearn

  Head of School

• Extended Services Code of Conduct

  Tue 06 Feb 2018

  Extended services’ code of conduct contract

   

  Oakfield Primary Academy prides itself on offering a wider range of extended service support for our families. These include, amongst others, the variety of termly clubs we run as well as the wraparound care of Breakfast club and Hideout.

   

  Recently, however, I have been saddened by the increasing number of complaints that are brought to me by staff members regarding the inappropriate behaviour of a small, but significant, group of children who make use of these services.  I am sure all parents and carers would agree that staff members should have every expectation that children in their care should follow the expected behaviours and code of conduct of our school.

   

  Having consulted staff who run these clubs and, in collaboration with the senior leadership team, it has been decided that, from term 4 onwards, parents and carers of ALL children who wish to make use of extended services will be expected to sign and agree to an extended services contract which details expected positive behaviours and possible consequences if they are not followed.

   

  We are sending this contract out to all parents so that in the event that your child attends any of our extended services between now and the end of the academic year, they will have this contract in place in order to ensure that they can attend  it immediately.  For those who have put their child down for a term 4 club, you may be contacted by the school office with an offer of a place very shortly. You will notice that this provisional offer will now make clear that your child’s place will not be confirmed until you have read and agreed to the code of conduct contract.  For those who you who have children currently attending breakfast club or Hideout, they will of course be able to continue to attend in the short-term without this in place.  However, there will be a deadline of Friday 23^rd February for this contract to be signed and in place.  After this date, they will not be able to attend without it being signed. Please take the time to read the contract and discuss it with your child.

   

  I want to make clear that the vast majority of our children exhibit exemplary behaviour on school premises. This contract will be a useful and uniform way of ensuring that we all are reminded of what these behaviours should be.  Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions once you receive the contract, a copy of which can now be accessed and read on the school website.

   

  Kind regards

   

  Jason Pearn

  Head of School