Ethos and Values
“Ox Close Federation is a learning community where all children are encouraged to see themselves as learners and participate in their own learning, within and beyond the school.”
At Ox Close, we are fully committed to maximising the all round potential of every child. Our children are actively encouraged to strive for excellence under the ethos of ‘Be the BEST that you can be’ through our ENRICHED values.
We are committed to striving for excellence in all aspects of school. This includes the highest of expectations in terms of behaviour, academics and positive citizenship.
Our commitment to the promotion of healthy lifestyles can be seen through the high profile of both curricular and extra-curricular sport and exercise. Furthermore, Ox Close pupils are given the opportunity to enjoy an outstanding learning environment, which includes an award winning Community Garden.
Music and the Arts are an important part of our philosophy and at Ox Close we believe that this provision helps to create happy, confident, engaged learners.
Our Curriculum Intentions can be found on our Curriculum page or by clicking here.
Ox Close pupils are active citizens both in the school and in the community, something which was recognised in the award of Investors in Children in July 2017.
At Ox Close the staff are also members of the learning community. Teaching and Learning is our core business and this is always at the heart of every Federation Improvement Plan. The award of Investors in People Gold status is evidence of the positive, vibrant culture which encourages staff to ‘Be the best that they can be’.
Ox Close parents play an active part in school life from when the children join in Reception and this continues as the pupils move through the school, with open mornings, celebration events and assemblies all scheduled regularly.
Democracy
- A Class Charter which is created at the beginning of each school year with the class and signed by all pupils and teachers.
- School Council elections are held at the beginning of each school to select two representatives from Year 2 – Year 6.
- School Council meetings are held on a regular basis to allow children the opportunity to share their views and discuss any areas of interest that have arisen.
- Pupil Questionnaires are completed on a yearly basis to give pupils the opportunity to share their views.
- Children are selected to support in the interviewing process for new staff.
- Class Superstars are voted for on a weekly basis, by the children.
- The Go Giver’s Challenge Award is being undertaken by a Year 3 / 4 class.
- Enterprise activities are undertaken by children throughout the school year.
Rule of Law
- A clear behaviour policy is in place across the school, with consistent rewards and sanctions.
- A Behaviour Awards Assembly takes place at the end of each half term to reward children who have stayed on the Sunshine throughout that half term.
- Individual Behaviour Plans and Behaviour Logs are in place for children, where the school behaviour system does not meet their needs.
- Regular visits from our Police Community Support Officer.
- We have an annual visit from the Fire Service.
- Buddies in Year 6 support EYFS children during allocated ‘Buddy Time’ and in their transition on to the Ks1 and 2 playground.
- A clear Anti-bullying policy is shared with pupils and parents at the beginning of each school year.
- Anti-bullying week is given significant status in the school calendar, with lessons and assemblies planned to support it.
- E-Cadets are trained in school as part of an extra-curricular group.
Mutual Respect
- Through the RE and SMSC curriculum, children are introduced to a wide range of faiths and religions.
- Group work activities are promoted in lessons to support positive relationships.
- Team captains and School Councillors are elected at the beginning of each school year.
- The school participates in Fairtrade Activities throughout the year to highlight the importance of Fairtrade and to raise money for the cause.
- Visitors from other faiths and religions are invited in to school to link to the children’s learning.
- A Multicultural Week is timetabled every year in school, to raise awareness of other faiths and religions.
- ‘India Day’ has been timetabled for Year 5 and 6 to support their topic work in the curriculum.
- Show Racism the Red Card is supported in school and given a high profile through assemblies and activities.
- National Awareness days are celebrated in whole school assemblies.
- Handwriting of the Week awards are given in Key Stage Assemblies.
- Star of the Week Assemblies celebrate children’s achievements each week.
Individual Liberty
- A wide range of extra-curricular activities are offered to children.
- E-Safety Week including at E-Safety assembly encourages children to exercise their rights to personal freedom safely.
- A Dojo reward system encourages positive behaviour.
- Anti-bullying week encourages children to act safely and think about others.
- Educational visits and school outings support children in forming positive relationships and broadening their learning.
- Celebrating Success Outside Ox Close is a display in the hall to celebrate the achievements of children outside of school. Children share their achievements in Key Stage Assemblies and their photograph is then displayed on the board.
- Leap Leaders take responsibility to lead games and activities on the playground at lunchtimes.
At Ox Close Federation we ensure that our children are given the opportunity to uphold these values. Please download the document below for further information.
Brochures
Please select the link below to view our School Brochure which is full of interesting information about our school:
Adobe Reader
You may need a product like Adobe Reader (free download) to view our PDF documents on our website.