Your Career at

Achieving Excellence Together

Welcome to Oakwood School Thank you very much for requesting information for a post at Oakwood School.

Horley is a small town close to with very good transport links for the A23 and the mainline rail to . We are also in easy reach of (about 40 minutes) and the M25 is about 20 minutes away (if the traffic is clear). Horley is cur- rently undergoing a regeneration project as approximately 2,000 houses are due to be built here over the next three years which will offer the opportunity for further improve- ment in the educational vision for our children.

Our website, which has been developed to include as much information as possible, Simon Potten has many features which will give you a flavour of Oakwood. You will see we are a Headteacher very open community which cares very much about the students’ progress. To this end we continue to work hard to ensure that students reach their potential and really enjoy their time at Oakwood.

It is an exciting time for Oakwood as we focus on ensuring we have high quality sup- port for teaching so that our students all make good progress. We are a motivated team of professionals all aiming to ‘Achieve Excellence Together’ (these words were Achieving Excellence Together chosen by the whole school community to show our shared vision).

Relationships are very important to us all and we really care about the students and each other. Therefore the emphasis on learning extends to everyone within the Oakwood community. Our weekly optional training is designed around needs and we invest in a coaching philosophy and, therefore, we provide many opportunities for lead- ership development. Should you be successful, you will certainly be welcomed as part of our valued staff. Continued

Oakwood is a large and expanding school of approximately 1300 students. We have split the population into ‘Years’ which enables the students to be cared for in smaller units. Each student also belongs to a House and we encourage a communi- ty ethos. The students are loyal and enjoy the friendly rivalry around House activi- ties. Their personal development is also central to the school ethos.

Our priority is to shape our school to fit the students’ needs and aspirations, rather than fit students to the school. For this reason we adopt the Pathways Approach, where we help students ‘Learn to Learn’. Opportunities for elements of vocational pathways exist as well as accelerated progress and Gifted and Talented opportuni- ties. Simon Potten Headteacher I do hope that after reading the information included in this pack that you will get a ‘feel’ for the school. Do look at the website, it does have some very useful infor- mation. If you require further details then please contact us at the school or email recruitment@oakwood..sch.uk

We are proud to be a happy, safe and progressive school. I very much hope you decide to apply and look forward to receiving your application. Achieving Excellence Together

Simon Potten

Developing our Staff—Testimonials

I joined Oakwood school in September 2018 as a Maths NQT. Being new to teaching I needed a school which was going to fully support me to be the best teacher that I can be, and Oakwood school did this. From day one not only did I have an excellent mentor who met with me every week (and more if needs be) but I also had an incredibly supportive department. One of the things that attracted me to Oakwood school the most was the community feel. Eve- ry member of staff is friendly and will go out of their way to support you in every way possible. This supportive community has allowed me to grow as a teacher more than I could ever have expected. In the two years I have been here I have taken on the role of Deputy Year Group Leader which is allowing me to develop the skills I will need to hopefully be a Year Group Leader in the future. Further to this, our Headteacher, Simon Potten, is extremely supportive in developing each member of staff and has allowed me to take on the role of Closing the Gap coordinator in maths. This has allowed me to have an insight into the minds of Pupil Premium students and how life at school can be so different for them compared to other students. Oakwood’s approach to Wellbeing, not only for the students but also for the teachers, is sec- ond to none; from Wellbeing weeks where we are actively encouraged to go home earlier than usual to frequent Wellbeing bulletins. The thing I like most about the school, however, is the students; we have a range of charac- ters and it truly makes each day interesting and fun. Z.May Teacher of Maths

Developing our Staff—Testimonials

I moved from a teaching position in East Sussex to join the Art Department at Oakwood I School in 2010 and have never looked back. I quickly settled into my new home aided by the hugely supportive team of staff here. Whether it was being there to talk through challenges and advise or offering resources and opportunities for CPD, I have always felt that staff had time for me.

Soon after my arrival I was able to gain a place on the middle leader course run by the local learning partnership. This ran throughout the year combining out of school training with work in school. The experience gained in that year ensured I felt confident that I could meet the challenges of becoming Head of Creative Arts in the next year.

As an Art teacher I have also hugely valued the chances to visit other schools, attend networks and training events specific to my subject. I have always felt trusted at Oakwood to be able to seek out new approaches and to experiment. This is most clearly seen in the support I have been given by senior leaders, colleagues and the wider community of the PTA and local companies in setting up a new Photog- raphy course at Oakwood fulfilling a long-time dream. It is great to feel that somebody has faith in you and that they will go out of their way to encourage you to challenge yourself. That support has always been there for me at Oakwood and I am hugely grateful for it, particularly as I continue to challenge myself completing my senior leader course two years ago and continuing to develop the Crea- tive Arts Faculty as Oakwood continues to grow. What do I like most about Oakwood? It’s very simple: the students, the staff and the community. When they work together they are truly a force to be reckoned with and the reason why I have enjoyed the last ten years so much.

R.Hughes Head of Creative Arts

Teacher Training

Oakwood School is an established School Direct training school through the Oriel ITT partnership.

We are also a member of the i2i teaching partnership which is a School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) pro- gramme leading to both QTS and PGCE for aspiring teachers.

“I discussed the School Direct route into teaching with “Even though my training at Oakwood was quite challeng- my Premier Plus Advisor and decided that this was the ing, as it was my first placement, I thrived and developed in best option for me. As a career changer and older candi- my practice. I found the team spirit in the school and the date, I felt that ‘on the job’ training would be better suited support I received, particularly from members of my faculty, to my needs. invaluable. I had a fantastic training experience at Oakwood. My Personally, making the decision to become a teacher has mentor was always available to advise and support me, been one of the best decisions I have made. It is very re- as were the other teachers within the department and warding and comes with great opportunities. My advice will the school as a whole. The weekly EPD sessions with be to commit to the process, no matter how challenging it other trainees were also extremely useful. may be at times, as it will finally pay off. That it is a great training school and you will be fully sup- Other experienced teachers kept telling me that “it gets ported by your mentor, faculties and the entire school better each year” and I thought they were simply saying team. Highly recommend. that to keep me in the job. However, I can confidently say, my NQT year was better than my ITT year and my RQT I stayed at Oakwood for my NQT year and had a fantas- year has been much better than my NQT year. tic mentor from another department. I really I am very grateful to be working in a very sup- developed over the course of the NQT year portive and positive environment at Oakwood.” and was again fully supported.” P. Hagan M. Allen Teacher of Religious Education Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages Our Vision & Values

Why we are proud to work at Oakwood …..

“The teachers are really nice and “…..teachers have developed their “There is a welcoming, calm and skills through a well-thought-out they help when you tell them orderly feel to the school.” programme of professional train- something. I love Oakwood.” OFSTED May 2018 ing. Staff appreciate the opportuni- Student comment ties they have to work together and learn from each other.” “Pupils are proud of their school OFSTED May 2018 “Everything has gone from and are keen to learn…. The strength to strength. There is a school’s pastoral support provi- sion is very effective, and relation- well-balanced feeling around the school. Pupils are encouraged to “We feel so lucky that our daughter ships between staff and pupils are do their very best.” attends Oakwood School and hope strong.” that you will remain Head of OFSTED May 2018 Parent comment Oakwood for many years to come!” Parent comment “Thank you to all who make Oakwood School the great school “Pupils are polite, friendly and that it is!” very articulate. They happily chat “Pupils understand the rules and Parent comment to visitors and clearly enjoy each stick to them, leading to a harmo- other’s company during break- nious, orderly and positive school and lunchtimes.” “My first week at school has been ethos.” OFSTED May 2018 amazing! I have loved it here at OFSTED May 2018 Oakwood.” Student comment

“Oakwood is a true light in our “Oakwood is a great school. I feel community.” The school has been amazing at safe and secure.” supporting my child and me Student comment Parent comment through this time.” Parent comment

The Benefits of Working at Oakwood School

We value our staff and offer these benefits…. An Ideal Location….

 Opportunity to work with a diverse and friendly Convenient transport links: workforce  Just 10 minutes walk from Horley mainline railway  Excellent CPD programmes and support available station with direct regular links to both London Vic- toria and Brighton  Dedicated staff working areas  10 minutes drive from M23  Complimentary tea and coffee  10 minutes drive from Gatwick Airport  Regular recognition rewards for ‘going the extra mile’  Easy walking distance into the town with local shops and supermarkets.  Teacher Pension Scheme / Local Government Pension Scheme

 Free parking

 Free use of Oakwood Sports Centre Gym

 Staff appreciation through regular complimentary refreshments both at the end of term and on a monthly basis

Where to find us

Oakwood School Balcombe Road Horley

Surrey

RH6 9AE (RH6 9AB if using a satellite navigation system)

Tel: 01293 785363 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.oakwood.surrey.sch.uk