Ousedale School is a Foundation mixed comprehensive school situated in attractive grounds in Newport Pagnell, in the north of Milton Keynes. We serve a partially rural catchment area. Currently there are approximately 2070 pupils on roll including a Sixth Form of 360.
The Newport Pagnell campus is housed in some modern buildings. The main stages of building development since the opening of the school in 1963 have been in 1971, 1975 and 1979. In 1993 we had a new (9 classroom) block of superb teaching accommodation. Accompanying this have been the extensive remodeling and refurbishment of other teaching areas together with the enhancement of our grounds and the removal of very old temporary accommodation. 1994 saw extensions to our Science block, to include four additional laboratories together with another Music room and further car parking space. A purpose-built Sixth Form Centre was opened in September 2000. 
In Years 10 and 11 a degree of choice is available within a broad curriculum framework. The choices are made in Year 9 by students and their parents, in consultation with subject and form tutors. Most subjects are available to GCSE level. Parents wishing to withdraw their children from studies involving Religious Education should contact Miss Jones, Deputy Head (Curriculum). Special Needs
We have a strong Special Needs Department which aims to provide for the individual needs of as many students as possible. In particular, help is given to children with difficulties in writing, reading, numeracy and learning; to children with physical disabilities; to children who are underachieving; to children who have a high academic ability, and to children who have missed work through prolonged illness. Last year the school had 21 children who had Statements of Special Educational Needs.
Usually support teachers will go into subject lessons to offer further assistance to the child. Sometimes children are withdrawn from lessons to receive special help. We encourage students who need practice to attend our Reading and Spelling Clubs. There is also an additional careers support programme.
Parents wishing to discuss detailed provision for the special needs of their child should contact Miss Page (SEN Co-ordinator) in the first instance. Copies of the school's SEN Policy, which was constructed having regard to the Government's Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs, are available on request.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Ousedale has a proud tradition of offering an extensive range of extra-curricular activities which take place at lunch time and after school. We produce annually for parents and students a leaflet outlining the activities on offer. Click on Clubs and Societies for more details. The music and drama departments are always well supported, with students joining small ensembles, a choir, a large band or the jazz group as well as taking part in regular productions.
Various departments provide 'clinics' where students are able to seek extra help or catch up with work missed. Depending on interest, there are a number of clubs catering for a wide range of interests which include: chess; debating; Christian Union; computers; sailing; reading and handwriting.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme operates at the school. Students are involved in a range of activities, including weekend expeditions.
Each year several educational visits are arranged. We regularly run exchange trips to France, Germany, Spain, and India. Skiing in Europe and department-organised visits to Berlin and Rome are popular optional trips. Within Britain there are trips organised to the Peak District, Lake District and Wales. Students also have the opportunity to visit the Milton Keynes Residential Centre at Longrigg in Cumbria. Ousedale has also supported even more exotic expeditions to places like Ecuador and Mount Kilimanjaro.