Pastoral Care in the Pre-Prep
We pride ourselves on the excellent behaviour and respect that is displayed by our pupils. This is nurtured, guided and modelled in accordance with our Early Years vision that each child should feel happy and secure at school. Our staff foster caring relationships with pupils and the children also know all staff know them and are willing to support any of their concerns. Our pupils benefit not only from strong relationships with their form tutor but also from being a part of the wider Oakwood community where children come into contact with adults in teaching and support roles across the school. Children are taught, from an early age, how to become an essential part of the community whilst not losing their individuality and spirit.
“The Oakwood Way” provides all pupils with a set of core school values, laid out in a series of simple guidelines crafted by the pupils of Oakwood themselves. Pre-Prep pupils learn about the Oakwood way with the support of 'Oakwood friends'. All Pre-Prep classes have five cuddly toys as props for modelling the Oakwood Way - either as a tool for circle time chats or as a questioning tool about what skills we need to use to be successful for a new piece of learning. Our Oakwood friends are:
Laurie - The Ladybird (we listen) pupils demonstrate excellent listening - listening carefully to teachers and each other, thinking about what is being asked and considering the ideas of others. (We listen to other people)
Maurice- The Mouse (we show good manners) pupils demonstrate good manners to teachers and each other - in the classroom, at break time and at lunch time. (We are honest and polite)
Kez - The Kestrel (we are kind) - pupils demonstrate that they have been kind to others. They have shown consideration for others or helped others in the class. (We are kind and helpful, think about others feelings)
Dinky - The Deer (we do our best) - pupils demonstrate determination, courage or bravery. Overcoming a fear or a worry about something and giving 100% effort. (We always do our very best)
Silky - The Swan (we share) pupils demonstrate that they are sharing well and working as a team, taking turns and looking after the classroom, the equipment and our school (We look after our property and everybody elses, we work as a team)
Oakwood prides itself on knowing every child and family in the school, with small classes and attentive key people and teachers. Staff consistently promote courteous, kind and thoughtful behaviour, with particular emphasis placed upon encouragement, positive reinforcement and rewards when appropriate.
Pupils who consistently try their best in a particular area of school life are awarded a Star Badge for the week. These children’s achievements are recognised at their celebration ‘Star Badge Assembly’ and they are invited to take a bow at the weekly whole school assembly.
From Little Oaks onwards, all children belong to one of our four houses or ‘teams'. The house system encourages teamwork among groups of pupils enabling a healthy level of competition. Our pupils are always keen to earn house points, and a positive ethos of joining in and trying hard is fostered. House events including pupils from Nursery to Year 6 are always some of the best days each term at Oakwood and involve sport, drama, music, national and school celebrations.
The personal development of Oakwood pupils is at the heart of all we do. Above all we aim to develop happy and confident children in a safe and nurturing environment, whilst at the same time having an awareness of the world we live in, both close to home and further afield. The focus on the spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of education is prioritised to ensure the well being of our pupils and to achieve this aim.
We place considerable importance on community and the development of ‘soft skills’ such as empathy, compassion and the acceptance of everyone in our school, local community and in the wider world as a whole.
Our regular school assemblies provide excellent opportunities to come together to reflect, celebrate and broaden our pupils’ knowledge of the world. We celebrate many festivals and national events through the school year:
• Harvest
• Diwali
• Remembrance
• Christmas Carol Service
• Chinese New Year
• Easter
We are fortunate to have good relationships with local churches, in particular with St. Mary's, Funtington and St. Paul's, Chichester.