Getting To / From School
At the start and end of the school day, both the front and back gates will be opened for the pupils to arrive/leave.
Our main entrance and car park (for school staff only) is on Sylvia Crescent. The back gate is accessible on foot from Testwood Recreation Ground.
Gates are open between 8.40am and 9am for children to be dropped off at school, and again between 3.05pm and 3.30pm for collection (3.15pm is the end of the school day).
Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel
Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel inspires pupils to make active journeys to school, improve air quality in their neighbourhood and discover how these changes benefit their world. Schools can win prizes if enough environmentally-friendly journeys are logged! Our total journeys in Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel 2023 was 963.
Animals ...
Please remember that dogs are not permitted inside the school grounds ... even the cute, fluffy ones that can be carried or live in handbags!
There are some children in school (or their siblings) that are very frightened of dogs, perhaps because of adverse experiences. So if you are waiting near a gate with your dog, or need to tie them up to the fence so you can enter the playground, please leave plenty of space between them and the gate for families to get past.
The exception to this is Hershey. She is an Assistance Dog, trained by Helpful Hounds, and is supporting one of our children. She wears a special bandanna and harness, and must not be petted while she is working, please (although she is very friendly!).
Restricting Access
Although rare, we must make you aware that the school is on private property and the Headteacher has the right to restrict anyone access to the school grounds.
It is important that anyone accessing the site complies with directions from staff and follows our school rules.
Driving
We have very limited access to the school site and as such, parents are not permitted to park or drop off anywhere inside the school grounds ... schools are private property.
Parents who drive should be respectful to the residents on Sylvia Crescent, The Redfords and other surrounding roads.
We ask that you drive one-way around Sylvia Crescent (take a left turn after the Co-op) to help reduce congestion please.
For special events on-site, we will open the gate to the KS2 playground for parents & guardians to park their cars.
Walking
A huge proportion of our families walk to school together.
Children in Years 5 and 6 often start to walk in small groups in the spring and summer when it is light outside. You'll need to give your written permission to the school office before we allow them to walk home without an adult.
We do not promote older children collecting younger siblings and walking them home, but will happily discuss this on an individual basis with families.
Cycling, Scootering & Blading!
We have facilities at school to park and store equipment.
Please bring a lock where appropriate.
Children should not cycle or scoot inside the school grounds to avoid any accidents.
Modeshift STARS Travel Award
Once again we have received Modeshift STARS accreditation for the work we have done to promote walking, cycling and other forms of sustainable travel to and from school.
Of the 3,500 schools that are signed up to Modeshift STARS, Oakfield was one of just 117 schools across the country to be nominated for the 2023 National Awards. It really is a MASSIVE achievement to be nominated for these Awards and we are very proud.
At what age can my child be collected by their sibling?
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the NSPCC recommend that no-one under 16 should be left to care for a younger child for more than a short period of time.
The school reserves the right to refuse to allow a person under the age of 18 to take responsibility for accompanying a pupil to or from school, should we have any concerns about that person’s suitability to do so.
The suitability of a sibling, or other young adult, caring for a younger child will be considered on a case by case basis, by making a judgement of the potential risks of this arrangement; the maturity of the child collecting/being collected; the length and nature of the journey home, the behaviour and relationship of the children collecting/ being collected.
What does the law say about siblings collecting?
It is the parent/carer’s responsibility to ensure that the child is dropped off and collected by a responsible person if it is not safe for the child to walk home unsupervised.
There is no minimum age set in law when a young person is allowed to remain in charge of another child; however it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk.
This can include in the care of an older sibling if the level if supervision is ‘likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’ (Children and Young Persons Act). Therefore parents/carers must understand and be prepared to take responsibility for anything that should go wrong in their absence.
Parents are also responsible for the care and safety of their eldest child, even while that child is acting in a caring role for younger siblings.
Questions to consider ...
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How long, and how often, will the child/children be left?
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Is the home environment safe and secure?
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Has the parent/carer assessed the home environment/journey to or from school for risks?
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Has the older child or ‘carer’ been involved in this risk assessment?
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How far will the child/ren have to walk (if appropriate)?
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How far away will the parent/carer be? Will they be easily contactable?
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Do any of the children (this also includes the older sibling or ‘carer’) have additional needs – medical, emotional, behavioural, learning difficulties / disabilities?
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How will these needs be met in the parent/carer's absence?
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Does the child or sibling caring for another child know what to do in an emergency?
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Does the child know who they can contact in case of an emergency?
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Have instructions been left e.g. in case of a fire?
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What are the expectations of the child/ren during this time? i.e. are they expected to cook for themselves etc.?
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Does the child have knowledge about how to keep themselves and younger siblings safe e.g. road safety, not answering the door to strangers, cooking etc?
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What is the level of knowledge when it comes to first aid?
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How well do the siblings get on?
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How will tension be managed in the absence of the parent/carer?
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Are the children clear about rules and boundaries of what they can and can’t do while parents/carers are out?
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If they are looking after a younger sibling, do they have the confidence and authority to implement these rules consistently?
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What will they do if the younger children misbehave?
