"In friendship, we learn and grow together"

Broad Oak School is a caring and welcoming place. It's a place where the individual is valued and all strive to develop each person's potential.

Thank you for visiting our website, please look around.

Click on Information to find out more about the school, our aims, dates for your diary, the curriculum, our PTA and much more. The Classes button will let you see what we've been doing in class and our topics for the term. The Events page tells you some of the activities that have been happening outside of the classroom.

Are you new to the area? Are you considering a new school for your child? Are you looking for a school now your child is approaching 4?

Broad Oak could be your answer!

If you would like to visit our School  then contact the office to arrange a time.

We look forward to seeing you.

We are committed to developing a learning environment that is: 

·        Happy

·        Safe

·        Caring

·        Exciting

·        And full of opportunities 

Broad Oak is dedicated to pursuing excellence through: 

·        A stimulating and well resourced environment

·        Enthusiastic and energising staff

·        The development and encouragement of everyone at Broad Oak

·        Raising self-esteem and awareness of others

·        Encouraging respect 

We aim to deliver an exciting and relevant curriculum through: 

·        Excellent and enthusiastic teaching

·        Innovation

·        Encouraging reflection and thinking skills

·        Providing opportunities to broaden creativity and self-worth

·        Celebrating achievements with each member of our school community every step of the way

The Foundation Stage

The Foundation Stage of children’s learning takes place during their first year, known as the Reception Year, at school.  It is a distinct stage and one in which play is vital. Learning takes place through first hand experiences, building on what the children can already do. Planned and purposeful activities provide opportunities for teaching and learning both indoors and outdoors.  There is a designated outdoor play area for the Reception pupils.  During the summer months, children enjoy opportunities to swim and become confident in the water in our learner swimming pool.  Well-planned play enables the younger children to learn with enjoyment and challenge. Children in the foundation stage follow the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage and are working towards achieving the Early Learning Goals.

The curriculum is set up into six main areas –

•  Communication, Language and Literacy

·        Mathematical development

·        Physical development

·        Personal, Social and Emotional Education

·        Knowledge and understating of the world

·        Creative development.

The Early Learning Goals establish expectations for most children to reach by the end of the foundation stage. Some children will have exceeded them whilst other will be working towards them.

 Key Stage One

There is also time for free choice play and structured play throughout Key Stage 1. This continues to allow children the opportunity to express themselves, develop new skills and build up their relationships with other children. It also gives them the opportunity to use their imagination and take the role of different characters.

Topic work becomes an increasing part of curriculum time as the children expand their knowledge and skills. This forms an important part of the children’s learning about the wider world around them. Science and Technology form an important base for the majority of topics, whilst others topic are based on Geographical, Historical and Religious themes. Artwork plays an important part in topics also and in its own right. Information regarding topics is given to parents at the start of each school year.

The children are also encouraged to explore sound, rhythm and melody in music, using both tuned and untuned instruments. The year 2 children also take part in the local infant music festival. In P.E. the children continue to develop their gymnastic, dance, games and swimming skills.  Year 2 children have the opportunity to join with others in a Top Play morning at Heathfield Community College in the summer term.

 Key Stage Two

Throughout Key Stage 2 the threads of the curriculum from Key Stage 1 continue.

Topics form an increasing part of the curriculum, with science being the main ingredient in topic work, but their cross curricular nature provides for Geographical, Historical, Religious and Technological skills and knowledge to be exercised and learned.  Art and musical skills are developed separately and used to enhance topic  work.  The children develop their Physical and Gymnastic skills and are introduced to more games involving teamwork and tactics.

The topic work allows the children to develop a greater understanding of the world, Geographical and Historical topics are covered more deeply.  They are also encouraged to develop independent and co-operative ways of working.

The children have greater opportunities to use different mediums in Art and to develop their musical skills and take part in music performances and festivals.  We build on what the children as learners already know and have a culture of high expectation.  Understanding is developed through enquiry, creativity and group problem solving.  Children are taught skills for life. 

The children gain a greater understanding of playing team sports and take part in a variety of games within school and against other local schools.  We offer children the opportunity to take part in swimming, stoolball, rounders, rugby, tennis, football, hockey and basketball. 

The children help to plan and perform Harvest Festivals and a Leavers' Service at the end of the year and take major roles in our Christmas Entertainment to parents.

We take a keen interest in children playing musical instruments and offer peripatetic music lessons for a range of instruments.       

Here at Broad Oak, we have found that the majority of parents like children to be dressed in a neat and practical way using the school colours of navy blue and gold. Children will be expected to wear a blue shirt. This may be a formal shirt, in which case a tie should be worn; or a blue polo style shirt, worn with a sweatshirt. Pullovers and sweatshirts should be navy. Skirts or pinafore dresses should be navy. Trousers should be grey or black tailored style only. No style of casual or fashion trousers should be worn e.g. Bootlegs, Combats. In summer short-sleeved shirts, short grey trousers and yellow checked dresses may be worn. Girls may wear light blue polo shirts with navy skirts as an alternative to dresses.  Sensible black shoes should be worn.

Children must change for P.E. During these lessons they should wear plain navy T-shirts and navy shorts.

Plimsolls or training shoes should be worn. In the winter and for outside games, a plain coloured tracksuit may be worn.

Sweatshirts, cardigans, ties, P.E. shirts, shorts, fleeces, reversible waterproof coats/fleeces, fleece hats and baseball caps are all available through the school office. Uniform items as supplied by the larger chain stores are acceptable. We also sell book bags and P.E. bags.

Children should come to school reasonably dressed. This includes hairstyles, clothing and jewellery. In addition to the safety aspects, inappropriate haircuts and colouring of hair would be considered unreasonable. Earrings are not encouraged but, if worn, should be restricted to one earring per ear lobe of the stud type. They must then be removed or taped by the pupil for P.E. A plain wristwatch may be worn and removed for P.E.  No other forms of jewellery should be worn in school for reasons of safety. 

Our Reception class enjoys close links with Broad Oak Pre-School and other local pre-school nurseries and groups.  The children from all local groups have the opportunity to experience play sessions at our school to familiarise themselves with our school setting the year before they start in Reception. 

Once a place has been secured at Broad Oak School, we consider it very important that children becoming part of our school in September feel part of our school family.  A planned transition takes place for every child during the last summer term to ensure that the change to school life happens as smoothly as possible.  These arrangements for the children include a teddy bears’ picnic, opportunities to stay for a school meal or packed lunch and story sessions. 

Our Reception class teacher meets the children in their pre-school settings and liaises with their workers to discuss each child on an individual basis. A parents meeting is held to give information about the best way to support your child as they start our school. 

A personal meeting is then arranged, with the class teacher and yourselves as parents, to further discuss your child on a one to one basis.  In this way we can better understand the needs of both you and your child.  We believe firmly that school and family working together leads to a successful start for our pupils.

As a Community Primary School, the County Council makes the arrangements for the admission of children to our school at age 4+. A detailed description of the arrangements is contained in the East Sussex County Council booklet ‘Applying for a school for your child 2007 - 2008’ * this booklet is available from our school office.