This Week's News
Friday 18th September 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been another busy week here at Oatlands, especially for our Reception children who have completed their very first full week of school! They are doing brilliantly at learning classroom routines and finding their way around the school.
We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout at this morning's ECP online safety workshop for parents. In previous years we have had lower engagement—fewer than 15 parents logged on for last year's online training. This morning, however, parents were queuing down St Mary's Road, and 86 parents joined us! The session was certainly eye-opening for a Friday morning, but it is vital in helping us navigate the rapidly changing digital world our children are growing up in. I strongly believe that the more knowledge we have, the better equipped we are to keep our children safe. The children also thoroughly enjoyed their own workshops on staying safe online. A huge thank you to Alan for delivering today's session, Mrs Atwood for promoting the event so effectively, the PTA for funding it, and to everyone who took the time to join us this morning.
In assembly this morning, we were pleased to announce our newly elected School Councillors! They already have some fantastic ideas—though I'm not sure a school swimming pool is quite on the cards, even if the promise of one secured a few votes! I look forward to our first meeting next week as we begin planning 'Kindness Month'.
Next week, we look forward to welcoming Reception and Year 2 parents to our first Curriculum Evenings. We are hoping for a fantastic turnout and are delighted to confirm that every family requiring childcare has been allocated a space in the crèche.
We hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Tanya Mooney
Teaching Assistant Appreciation week
Next week is Teaching Assistant Appreciation Week, and we want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary TA team we have here at Oatlands.
We are incredibly fortunate to have a Teaching Assistant in every single classroom across our school. Day in and day out, our TAs bring unwavering patience, energy, and care to Oatlands. Whether they are guiding small group activities, offering targeted 1:1 support, preparing engaging classroom materials, or providing a reassuring word when a child needs it most, their impact on our pupils' confidence and success is immeasurable. Quite simply, Oatlands wouldn't be the warm, thriving community it is without them.
How You Can Get Involved
If your family would like to join us in showing your appreciation next week, we would like to encourage children to make a homemade thank-you card or draw a picture over the weekend to bring in for the Teaching Assistants in their class.
Key Dates for Next 2 Weeks
Curriculum Evenings
Tuesday 22nd September 6.00-7.00pm Year 2 Curriculum evening
Wednesday 23rd September 6.00-7.00pm Reception Curriculum evening
Wednesday 30th September 6.00-7.00pm Reception Curriculum evening
Monday 28th September 7.30-9.00pm PTA AGM-all welcome
Friday 2nd October Whole school individual photographs
You can also see a full list of key dates for the year so far, on the Term Dates & Calendar pages of the school website HERE
PTA AGM- 7.30-9.00 Monday 28th September
We would love to see you all at this year’s PTA AGM. All parents/carers, as members of the PTA, are invited to attend the AGM. This is your chance to be elected or elect others to the PTA committee, and to show your support.
Parent Consultations
The Autumn Term parent consultations will be taking place in school on:
Tuesday 6th October – 3.30-6.00 pm
Thursday 15th October – 5.00-7.30 pm
You MUST log into Arbor: https://oatlands-surrey.uk.arbor.sc/ to book your own consultation. Self-booking opens today at 4pm and closes at 10 pm on Sunday 4th October.
Unfortunately, Arbor only allows us to schedule one time-slot per child. Should you require an additional time-slot (if parents are separated and cannot attend together for example), please book one slot and contact the school office to arrange the additional meeting.
If you have any problems accessing Arbor or have forgotten your login details, please contact the school office as soon as possible.
We are pleased to let you know we are able to operate a creche for the following times:
Tuesday 6th October 3.30-6.00 pm
Thursday 15th October 5.00-7.30 pm
Art Social x Oatlands School PTA Event-Saturday 3rd October 6.30-9pm
Please join us for our first ever Sip n Paint event at Art Social on Oatlands Drive. Enjoy an art class in the back workshop and more art activities and some drinks in the cafe. Tickets priced at £25pp and available from www.pta-events.co.uk/oatlands
Christmas Card Competition
We are excited to share information about a competition to design a Christmas card for our local MP. More information can be found attached to this week’s newsletter.
Cleves Vacancy
Cleves school has a vacancy for a Welfare and Attendance Officer. Please find the link to the eteach vacancy HERE
Safeguarding Notice
If you have any concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing in the school or community, please speak to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL). DSL- Tanya Mooney, Head Teacher. DSL- Phil Copsey, Deputy Head Teacher or DSL-Kelly Grindle, Nurture Lead.
Website Updates
Is your child starting school in September 2027? You can book onto a Prospective Parent Tour HERE
You can see updated Governor information HERE