Friday 7th November 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope that you had an enjoyable half term and that the children managed to have a rest after a very busy first half term.

The teachers returned to school for our Inset Day on Monday, where we began to update the way in which we assess children’s skills and knowledge in Foundation subjects. We had a very busy day developing quizzes using AI, which children will access using QR codes on our ipads. We are very excited by this new development and as always, the teachers embraced the change with passion and enthusiasm.

As a school we pride ourselves on our relational practice. We ensure that we know all of our children well so that we are able to understand and meet their individual needs. Yesterday we were pleased to welcome Tracie and Corine, Specialist Teachers for Inclusive Practice (STIPs), who came to review our practice. They met with parents, children and staff and visited all classes so that we were able to celebrate and share our approach. It was such a positive experience and we look forward to sharing their positive feedback with you next week.

A huge thank you to all of our Reception parents who attended our Literacy evening last night. Mr Copsey and Miss Lawford led an informative session, which we hope gave you an insight into how reading and writing is taught at Oatlands.

We were delighted to have 10 parents nominate themselves as potential Parent Governors. This has exceeded our expectations and we are looking forward to finding out who has been elected on Friday 14th November.

We hope you have an enjoyable weekend.

Tanya Mooney

Key Dates Coming Up

Vacancy

We are looking for a SEND Teaching Assistant to support the class teacher with the development and education of children with special educational needs. This role is Monday-Wednesday 8.50am-3pm for more information please see the full job advert on eteach here: SEND Teaching Assistant

Tell Me a Story Reading Event-Monday 17th November

We are excited to share details of a new family event coming to Oatlands. Our new Year 2 Reading Champions are going to be helping to organise 'Tell Me a Story', an after-school event to celebrate reading.

We are inviting children to come back in their pyjamas, onesies or dressing gowns with a teddy to snuggle down and enjoy a range of stories in cosy corners across the school.  Teachers will be reading stories in their classroom every 15 minutes and there will be baskets of stories available across the school to explore as a family. 

You are welcome to come at any time during the event for a little bit or for the whole hour.  We hope it will be a lovely time to enjoy reading.   Pop Monday 17th November from 4.15pm-5.15pm in your diaries, and we hope to see you there.

PTA Wine Tasting Event- Thursday 13th November

Join Oatlands PTA and Valentina for a delightful evening of wine tasting! Please visit www.pta-events.co.uk/oatlands to buy a ticket (£25pp) to include a welcome cocktail, wine tastings and tasty treats supplied by Valentina.  After booking, please email table requests to ptachair@oatlands.surrey.sch.uk, there can be 4-10 people per table grouping. 

Celebrating Children in Need: The '25 Challenge' is On!- Friday 14th November

Get ready to see our students take on a truly unique fundraising challenge for Children in Need! This year, in honour of the number 25, our pupils have created 25 different activities—all involving the number 25—to complete on Friday 14th November and throughout the week. From running 25 laps of the playground to eating a biscuit in 25 bites, and even writing a story using 25 words! The creativity has been amazing!  We have attached a poster of the 25 challenges the children will be completing.

Children can also dress up wearing spots or any Children in Need themed clothes on Friday 14th November, if they wish.

We encourage all parents to support their children in their sponsored efforts as they take part in this fun-filled challenge to help make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children across the UK. To make a donation to our Children in Need Fundraising page, please click HERE.

We would appreciate any donation you are able to make.

Surrey County Council Consultation on introducing sibling link with Cleves, Manby Lodge and Oatlands School

Surrey County Council is consulting on proposed changes to admission arrangements to introduce sibling link with Cleves, Manby Lodge and Oatlands School for September 2027.

We have attached information from Surrey County Council, however, full details of the consultation and the changes being proposed are available via this link: Consultation on school admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools - 2027.

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.

Updates to the Website

Charity & community pages have been updated HERE

A New Vacancy has been added HERE