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Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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School Resource Base Consultation Letter
Tue 23 Apr 202415th March 2024
Dear parents/carers
Consultation on Proposal to Establish a Resource Base
If you need this document in a different format or language, please contact the school consultation team on 01392 382057 or via email: schoolconsultations@devon.gov.uk
Proposal
Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust is consulting on a proposal to establish from September 2024:
- a resource base for up to eight learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs at Okehampton Primary School
Background
Increasing resource base provision is part of a county-wide strategy by Devon County Council in response to the demand for increased special educational needs provision and to enhance the inclusive capacity of mainstream schools.
A resource base supports learners whose needs can be met in a mainstream setting but who require a specialist environment and support within the school. Pupils are supported within this environment with an Education Health and Care Plan, small class sizes and high staffing ratios. Their plan will also support their involvement in larger classes within the school according to the needs and progress of the pupil. Our aim is to enable pupils to fulfil their potential to successfully access part or all of the curriculum within the mainstream school.
Evidence of need
Devon has one of the lowest percentages of learners accessing resourced provision in comparison to its statistical neighbours and is lower than the national average. Alongside this, Devon has seen a significant increase in the number of children and young people with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP) in recent years.
This proposal will ensure a better offer for children and young people that is local and suitable to their needs. The proposal will support more children with special educational needs to be educated and thrive in their local school and community, facilitating better access to the curriculum and avoiding the need for children to travel to an appropriate school further away.
Okehampton Primary Proposal
The proposed resource base at Okehampton Primary School would support children and young people with a primary need of social, emotional and mental health needs with an EHCP. Children with social, emotional and mental health needs can struggle to engage with learning and to cope in a classroom without additional strategies and interventions. It is proposed that the base would open from September 2024 for up to eight learners.
Existing suitable space at the primary school has been identified for the resource base. The published admission number of the school will remain the same and will not be impacted by this proposal.
Costs and Expenditure
It is estimated that the capital costs of establishing the resource base at Okehampton Primary School will be in the region of £150,000.
Revenue funding from Devon County Council is in place to support this proposal.
Admission to the Resource Base
To be considered for a place in a resource base, the child or young person must have an EHCP. Should the creation of the resource base be agreed, it is the local authority 0-25 SEN team who will allocate places in the base, in consultation with the Trust.
Consultation and decision-making process
This consultation on the proposal will take place from 15th March to 29th April 2024. There will be a consultation evening on 27th March 2024. This will be an opportunity to hear about the proposal and ask any questions that you may have.
The Academy Trust will make an application, through the submission of a business case for the proposal, to the Department for Education’s (DfE) Southwest Region’s Group. The business case application will include the outcome of the consultation.
It is the regional directors of the DfE’s Southwest Region’s Group who will consider the applications and outcome of the consultations and decide whether to approve the establishment of the resource base.
Responding to the consultation
Comments can be made to Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust either by:
Email: resourcebaseconsultation@dmatschools.org.uk
By post to: Wardhayes, Simmonds way, Okehampton, EX20 1PU
Please note that all responses must be received by 29th April 2024
All responses to the consultation will be considered and will be shared with the school’s leadership team, board of directors and trustees. Responses will also be shared with Devon County Council and the regional director’s office at the DfE, but we will not send individual responses to any specific points made.
Yours faithfully
Elizabeth Underwood
Executive Principal
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New School Dinner Software Launch - Cypad
Fri 23 Feb 2024
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IMPORTANT! School Closure Thursday 2nd November - Severe Weather Warning
Wed 01 Nov 2023Dear all,
As you may be aware there is currently an amber weather warning in place as storm Ciaran moves towards Devon. An amber warning presents a risk to life, but there is also a large amount of uncertainty about this weather front which means it could increase to a red warning overnight. The combination of wind, rain, and the storm moving over warm sea waters increases risk of very high wind speeds, flooding and trees falling.
This potential risk to life means that we have taken the regrettable decision to close schools tomorrow. We do not do this lightly.
Okehampton Primary and St James CE Primary schools will be closed tomorrow to all children and staff.
We expect to reopen schools on Friday 3rd November. Further confirmation will be provided tomorrow.
Thank you for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs E Underwood
Simmons Hub Principal/DMAT Executive Principal
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School Opening Times and Access Arrangements September 2023
Wed 06 Sep 2023Dear Parents and Carers,
DROP OFF AND PICK UP FROM THURSDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2023
Thank you for your patience today. Having reflected on this morning’s drop off and pick up, we have made some changes to the arrangements due to the congestion on the path to the nursery entrance.
We are asking that parents continue to be patient whilst we continue to make adjustments, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone during the continued building works.
Morning Drop off from Thursday 7th September 2023
Both gates to the bottom playground will be opened at 8.30am for parents of children in Year 1-6. Parents will be responsible for their children until 8.40am when class teachers will collect their class from the playground. Teachers will blow a whistle following our playground routines to indicate children to line up at their designated line up station. The class teachers will then take the children to their classrooms.
The gates to the bottom playground will close at 8.50am and any child arriving after this time will need to enter school from the main entrance.
Nursery
Children will be greeted at the nursery door. Please use the path that leads to the nursery entrance.
Reception
Children will be greeted by a member of staff at the nursery door. Please use the path that leads to the nursery entrance.
Year 1
Children will be greeted by their class teacher at their designated line up station on the bottom playground.
Year 2
Children will be greeted by their class teacher at their designated line up station on the bottom playground.
Year 3
Children will be greeted by their class teacher at their designated line up station on the bottom playground.
Year 4
Children will be greeted by their class teacher at their designated line up station on the bottom playground.
Year 5
Children will be greeted by their class teacher at their designated line up station. Please note Rippon Tor’s station is located on the bottom playground and Rook and Roos Tor are located on the top playground.
Year 6
Children will be greeted by their class teacher at their designated line up station. Please note Willow and Winter Tor’s station is located on the bottom playground and Wild Tor is located on the top playground.
End of the day pick up from Thursday 7th September 2023
The gates to the playgrounds will be opened by a member of the Senior Leadership Team from 3.15pm. We are asking that parents patiently wait until the class teacher has dismissed your child. Any children not collected will be brought to the main reception in order for staff to contact parents.
Nursery
Children will be collected from the nursery door. Please use the path that leads to the nursery entrance.
Reception
Children will be collected at their designated line up station on the bottom playground at 3.25pm.
Year 1
Children will be collected at their designated line up station on the bottom playground at 3.25pm.
Year 2
Children will be collected at their designated line up station on the bottom playground at 3.25pm.
Year 3
Children will be collected at their designated line up station on the bottom playground at 3.30pm.
Year 4
Children will be collected at their designated line up station on the bottom playground at 3.30pm.
Year 5
Children will be collected at their designated line up station at 3.30pm. Please note Rippon Tor’s station is located on the bottom playground and Rook and Roos Tor are located on the top playground.
Year 6
Children will be collected at their designated line up station at 3.30pm. Please note Willow and Winter Tor’s station is located on the bottom playground and Wild Tor is located on the top playground.
Many thanks for your continued support as we work through this together.
Janine Cook
Associate Principal
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Updated term dates
Thu 13 Jul 2023OPS Term Dates 2023-2024
Autumn Term 1 (6th September 2023 to 20th October 2023)
Monday 4 September Non-Pupil Day (INSET)
Tuesday 5 September Non-Pupil Day (INSET)
Wednesday 6 September - First day of Autumn 1 term for children (all pupils return)
October Half Term – Monday 23 October 2023 to Friday 27 October 2023 Inclusive
Autumn Term 2 (30th October 2023 to 15th December 2023)
Monday 30 October - First day of Autumn 2 term for children (all pupils return)
Friday 15 December Last Day of Autumn 2 term.
Christmas Break – Monday 18 December 2023 to Wednesday 3 January 2024 inclusive
Spring Term 1 (3rd January 2024 to 9th February 2024)
Tuesday 2 January Non-Pupil Day (INSET)
Wednesday 3 January - First day of Spring 1 term for children (all pupils return)
Half Term – Monday 12 February 2024 to Friday 16 April 2024 Inclusive
Spring Term 2 (19th February 2024 to 28th March 2024)
Monday 19 February - First day of Spring 2 term for children (all pupils return)
Thursday 28 March Last Day of Spring 2 term
Easter – Friday 29 March 2024 to Friday 12 April 2024 Inclusive
Summer Term 1 (15th April 2024 to 24th May 2024)
Monday 15 April - First day of Summer 1 term for children (all pupils return)
Monday 6 May May Day Bank Holiday
May Half Term – Monday 27 May 2024 to Friday 31 May 2024 Inclusive
Summer Term 2 (3rd June to Friday 19th July)
Monday 3 June - First day of Summer 2 term for children (all pupils return)
Friday 19 July Last Day of Term
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Parent Dates and Events updated February 2023
Thu 26 Jan 2023Events 2023
Updated February 2023
Parents’ Forum
27th January - Quality of Education
17th March – Attitudes to Learning, Academy Improvement Plan and Parent Communication
26th May - Special Education Needs and Disabilities.
14th July - End of year communication
Parents’ forum is from 9.15-10.15am in the Music and Drama Hall. Refreshments will be available. Minutes of the meetings will be shared in case parents cannot attend.
Parents’ Evening.
7th & 8th March 2023 - 3.30-7pm
Reports are sent out to parents on the 7th July. If you would like to discuss the report with the class teacher, this will be on the 13th July.
Face to face and phone appointments will be available.
Read Write Inc events.
EYFS and KS1 4th October 2.30-3pm and 5th October.
11th October 2.30-3pm and 12th and October 9-10am.
Themed Open Mornings
Friday open mornings will continue each week. On occasions, we will invite you to stay for additional time to find out more about our core curriculum. The dates for these special sessions are below:
Maths Open Morning - 14th October
Writing Open Morning - 2nd December
Reading Open Morning - 3rd February
Maths Open Morning - 24th March
Writing Open Morning - 19th May
Reading Open Morning - 7th July
Sports Days
Nursery and EYFS 9.30-11am – 22nd June on the 3G pitch. In case of inclement weather, this will take place on 29th June at the same time.
KS1 9.30-12.00 – 20th June on the 3G pitch. In case of inclement weather, this will take place on 27th June at the same time.
KS2 9.30-12.00 – 21st June at the Rugby club. In case of inclement weather, this will take place on 28th June at the same time.
To ensure that every child gets the opportunity to perform in front of their parents over the year and over their primary school journey. The year groups will have the following events:
Year 6 events
SATs week 9th -11th May 2023
Cinema visit 12th May 2023
French residential group 1 - 15th – 19th May 2023 (groups to be confirmed)
French residential group 2 - 11th – 15th July 2023 (groups to be confirmed)
End of year performance – Wednesday 28th June 2-3.30pm, 6-7.30pm (PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE HAS CHANGED DUE TO A CLASH WITH A YEAR 6 COLLEGE EVENT) and Friday 30th 2.00-3.30pm. Performances will be in the Main Hall
Church service – to be confirmed.
Leavers assembly – 19th July 9.00-11am. Performances will be in the Main Hall
Year 4 – Easter performance
Thursday 30th March 2.30-3.30pm and 6-7.00pm (PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE HAS CHANGED DUE TO A CALENDAR ERROR)
Performances will be in the Main Hall
Year 3 class assemblies
10th February – Hart Tor class assembly 9.30-10.00am
Assemblies will be in the Music Drama Hall.
Welcome Evenings for next class teacher
Year 1 and 2 – 10th July 6-7.00pm
Year 3 and 4 – 11th July 6-7.00pm
Year 5 and 6 – 18th July 6-7.00pm
School photos
Class school photos – 14th June 2023. Individual children will also be taken if any children were absent in autumn term.
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Parent Dates and Events updated February 2023
Thu 26 Jan 2023Events 2023
Updated February 2023
Parents’ Forum
27th January - Quality of Education
17th March – Attitudes to Learning, Academy Improvement Plan and Parent Communication
26th May - Special Education Needs and Disabilities.
14th July - End of year communication
Parents’ forum is from 9.15-10.15am in the Music and Drama Hall. Refreshments will be available. Minutes of the meetings will be shared in case parents cannot attend.
Parents’ Evening.
7th & 8th March 2023 - 3.30-7pm
Reports are sent out to parents on the 7th July. If you would like to discuss the report with the class teacher, this will be on the 13th July.
Face to face and phone appointments will be available.
Read Write Inc events.
EYFS and KS1 4th October 2.30-3pm and 5th October.
11th October 2.30-3pm and 12th and October 9-10am.
Themed Open Mornings
Friday open mornings will continue each week. On occasions, we will invite you to stay for additional time to find out more about our core curriculum. The dates for these special sessions are below:
Maths Open Morning - 14th October
Writing Open Morning - 2nd December
Reading Open Morning - 3rd February
Maths Open Morning - 24th March
Writing Open Morning - 19th May
Reading Open Morning - 7th July
Sports Days
Nursery and EYFS 9.30-11am – 22nd June on the 3G pitch. In case of inclement weather, this will take place on 29th June at the same time.
KS1 9.30-12.00 – 20th June on the 3G pitch. In case of inclement weather, this will take place on 27th June at the same time.
KS2 9.30-12.00 – 21st June at the Rugby club. In case of inclement weather, this will take place on 28th June at the same time.
To ensure that every child gets the opportunity to perform in front of their parents over the year and over their primary school journey. The year groups will have the following events:
Year 6 events
SATs week 9th -11th May 2023
Cinema visit 12th May 2023
French residential group 1 - 15th – 19th May 2023 (groups to be confirmed)
French residential group 2 - 11th – 15th July 2023 (groups to be confirmed)
End of year performance – Wednesday 28th June 2-3.30pm, 6-7.30pm (PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE HAS CHANGED DUE TO A CLASH WITH A YEAR 6 COLLEGE EVENT) and Friday 30th 2.00-3.30pm. Performances will be in the Main Hall
Church service – to be confirmed.
Leavers assembly – 19th July 9.00-11am. Performances will be in the Main Hall
Year 4 – Easter performance
Thursday 30th March 2.30-3.30pm and 6-7.00pm (PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE HAS CHANGED DUE TO A CALENDAR ERROR)
Performances will be in the Main Hall
Year 3 class assemblies
10th February – Hart Tor class assembly 9.30-10.00am
Assemblies will be in the Music Drama Hall.
Welcome Evenings for next class teacher
Year 1 and 2 – 10th July 6-7.00pm
Year 3 and 4 – 11th July 6-7.00pm
Year 5 and 6 – 18th July 6-7.00pm
School photos
Class school photos – 14th June 2023. Individual children will also be taken if any children were absent in autumn term.
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SCHOOL REOPENS FOR CHILDREN ON WEDNESDAY 4TH JANUARY - WELCOME BACK FOR 2023!
Mon 02 Jan 2023 -
DELAYED SCHOOL OPENING 10am 12.12.22
Sun 11 Dec 2022Dear Parents/ Carers,
Due to the yellow weather warning and icy road conditions, we will have a DELAYED START on Monday 12th December. School will open at the later time of 10am. This will allow for roads to clear somewhat and for gritting to happen in and around the school, making paths and playground as safe as possible.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and be in touch should anything change. The safety of our staff, pupils and families is most important. Many thanks for your support.
Kind regards,
Okehampton Primary School
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The DMAT Values and Leadership video
Tue 23 Mar 2021Meet our DMAT team talking about our Values and Leadership roles. Click here to view the video.
