Welcome to the Oaktree Primary School official Q and A page. Here we ask the questions, and the school answers directly. It is its chance to have its say on specific areas you have told us you want to know about. If you think there are additional questions we should be asking you may contact us here.

What qualities and characteristics would you say define your school?

Oaktree is a community school where each child is valued as an individual and is encouraged to reach their full potential. In our rapidly changing world, we believe that teaching children how to think, to challenge and to overcome obstacles, are equally as important as teaching them facts. That is not to say that we don’t focus on the core skills of reading, writing and maths, we do. It’s the way that we teach that makes the difference. Our teachers create hands on lessons, including real world issues and outside learning wherever possible, to ensure that our students develop a wide range of skills which will equip them both with the knowledge and a passion for learning.

Our Values are central to school life. They are embedded in the curriculum and the ways that our teachers teach and they guide how we behave towards each other and the wider community.

Confidence
Being a can-do person; learning to question and to act independently

Collaboration
Listening to others, showing kindness and understanding how to work with other people

Commitment
Persistence, overcoming obstacles and taking responsibility for success

Citizenship
Understanding the world, celebrating diversity and recognizing that we achieve more when we work together

How many nationalities are represented in your school?

48

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

No. Indian and British are the highest but there is a complete international mix of families in the school.

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

1:8 on average

Does your school have a waiting list?

No

Physical education and sport is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. How does your school ensure children engage in physical activity?

We have a range of sporting facilities within the school including a swimming pool and both indoor and outdoor PE areas. We have a full-time PE teacher, qualified to teach PE and swimming and a full time life guard/PE support assistant. Children swim all year round and there are also after school swimming clubs and lessons available with an outside agency. Teachers also run Sporting Enrichment Clubs after school at no additional cost. We expect to form teams to compete in inter-school competitions from our first year in swimming, netball and football with other sports to follow as we grow and will work with other small schools in Dubai to form cross school teams.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

Health and Wellness is central to our school’s philosophy with our children learning the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and balanced choices to ensure that good habits are formed from an early age. We promote healthy eating, exercise and also healthy minds. Each morning and after lunch children take part in short mindfulness activities, linking to the curriculum, to ensure readiness to learn. This enhances our positive behavior policy - "Ready To Learn Framework"

How do you promote healthy eating?

Our school meals are approved and a healthy food option whose menus are nutritionally balanced. Packed lunches brought from home will be expected to be healthy with no chocolate or sodas permitted. We have a healthy eating policy which is shared with all families and reinforced by teachers and the school nurse and doctor. We often run healthy eating competitions, have health experts in to talk to children and provide parent workshops and our school nurse and doctor also raise awareness with children and families.

Does the school have cafeteria facilities for the students?

Yes

If yes, does it serve hot food?

We serve nutritious hot food at lunchtime each day for FS1 - Year 6 children. These are provided by an outside catering company approved for school lunches. Children who are having hot paid lunches and children who bring their own packed lunches are encouraged to eat together cultivating that family and community feel.

What would be the amount spent by a student for their lunchtime meal?

20 AED per meal

What is the starting and finishing time of your school day?

Sunday to Wednesday
FS1: 7:45am-1pm (Gates open at 7:30am)
FS2 - Year 6: 7:45am-2:40pm (Gates open at 7:30am)

Thursday
FS1 - Year 6: 7:45am-1:25pm (Gates open at 7:30am)

Is there a school uniform?

We do have a uniform for all years. Our younger children, from FS1 to Year 2, will wear a green checked dress for the girls or shorts and a green checked shirt for the boys. From Years 3 to 6, they will wear either a grey skirt or short, a white shirt and the school tie. We sell the uniform in the school for added convenience to families.

Please advise on your discipline policy?

Our positive behavior policy is called the "Ready to Learn Framework"
Teachers reward positive behavior with Dojo points and when they collectively reach their class target they can have a class treat. There is a clear framework in place to support any challenge behaviors which includes communication with parents when required. It is very visual and runs from FS1 - Year6 so children have clear expectations throughout their whole Oaktree journey. We have 3 school rules: BE SAFE! BE KIND! WORK HARD! These rules and expectations are for the whole school community including staff, families and visitors.
Class teachers will work together with the children to collaboratively decide on individual class rules and expectations stemming from the school rules.

How do you feedback progress and attainment to students and parents?

Teachers will communicate with the whole class or individual parents on a daily basis using SeeSaw. They will capture and share some of the learning and achievements taking place as they happen and share with parents. Parents will be able to have access to SeeSaw on their phones or tablets and can keep up to date on the go.

Teachers are also happy to meet with parents to discuss any concerns or worries but an appointment should be made to ensure the learning and teaching is not disrupted. If a teacher is unable to answer your questions then a member of the leadership team will be happy to meet with you.

How often is the more formal feedback such as reports and parent/teacher meetings?

In term 1 and 3 you will receive a written report detailing you child's achievements to date and next steps. In term 2 and 3, there will be an opportunity for you to meet with the class teacher and specialists to discuss progress and next steps. Children will also invite parents to school for a student led conference where the children will talk about their own progress and share some of the work they have been doing.

What is your medium of instruction?

English

Is Arabic taught as both a first language and second language in your school?

FS2 will have an Arabic enrichment lesson every week.
Arabic as a first language and Arabic as a second language is taught from Year 1 to Year 6.

Which other languages are taught?

French will be taught from Year 1 with the opportunity of additional languages as the school grows.

Do you offer EAL or TEFL support for those students where English is not their first language?

Our learning environments and teaching strategies used are designed to support English as additional language learners. If any children require additional support the Inclusion Team and EAL teacher will provide this either individually or in small groups.

Is Islamic Education/Studies for the Arab Muslim students delivered in Arabic for them?

Islamic Education will be delivered in Arabic for our Arab Muslim children and in English for our non Arab Musliim students

Do you have a dedicated prayer room/s for the Muslim students?

Yes

Do you develop independent learning through homework and, if so, what are your recommendations regarding this, particularly time spent on homework?

We strongly believe in forming a partnership between the school and the parents to support each child’s learning. As soon as our children start learning to read, we will encourage our parents to listen to them for 10 minutes each day as well as to read to them. Spellings and times tables will be practiced at home each week from year 2 and we would anticipate that taking 10 minutes each day. From Year 2, project work and homework, which consolidates lessons learned in school, will be introduced and will take between 30 minutes and one hour each week. There will also be some home challenges designed to explore their current topic in school through critical thinking and problem solving.

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

Gifted and Talented students are equally valued at Oaktree and will be given appropriate additional challenges to ensure that their unique talents are fully engaged and developed. A differentiated learning plan will be created, extending each child in the classroom and there will be an opportunity to work with children across different year groups with similar interests and abilities. There are a wide range of competitions and events, which can be accessed in the UAE or on-line, to ensure that the talents of our children are celebrated.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes. We have an inclusion team led by our Assistant Head (Head of Inclusion)

Not all schools are staffed or resourced to offer learning support to those children with either moderate or significant learning needs. To what level can you offer support for those with learning differences?

Oaktree can support moderate and mild leaning difficulties effectively internally and with the support of outside agencies. Our Inclusion Team will develop individual educational plans to address barrier and support all students to access the curriculum to the best of their ability. For some, this will modification and quality first teaching in class, for some it may be a short-term intervention to overcome a particular barrier, whilst for others there may be the need for ongoing support with internal and external resources.

Where children are identified, or have been assessed, as having an additional need, our team will work with the child, their parents and any outside agencies involved to develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Wherever possible, we will support children to achieve within the classroom.

Does your school have particular expertise in dealing with a specific learning need such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, aspergers syndrome and so forth?

Our Head of Inclusion has specific experience and training in supporting students with dyslexia.

Does your school have an educational psychologist or access to one to assess and support those youngsters with more challenging learning and emotional needs?

Oaktree has a partnership with Life Works who can assess and support specific difficulties.

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

We have an active Governing Board with parents to represent FS, KS1, KS2 and Inclusion, staff representation and Athena representation. We also have a parent forum called 'Friends of Oaktree' The parent forum more specifically supports school events and community days. It is very well attended and we regularly bring the community together in a variety of ways with their support.

Are there opportunities for parents to support the learning, activities and events within the school or on trips other than through the parent group?

There are a variety of opportunities for parents to support learning and activities in 6th school community:
Governance
Friends of Oaktree
Stay and Learn in class fortnightly followed by refreshments with the senior leadership team
Multiple celebratory events in school or events linked to learning
Parent workshops internal and external providers
Community events in and outwith school
Volunteering
Trips

Is there an opportunity for parental representation on your school Board of Governors?

Our Board of Governors will be established during the first school year and will include parent representation.

Do you offer specific activities, events or information sessions for those parents new to the school and/or area?

Transition for children starting in the new academic year will start in term 3 before the children start and will include information and induction sessions.
There will be a curriculum workshop at the beginning of term 1 as well for new and existing parents.