Ask Steve - Responses Page
We have had a great response to the 'Ask Steve' boxes placed in the Schools. We felt the best way to give the answers to your questions would be on the website so below are the responses from Steve...
There have been so many great questions we have grouped them into categories. Click on the title below to see all related questions:
Steve & Oasis
Uniforms
Academy Facilities & the Building
Curriculum
Steve & Oasis
Q. Who are you (Steve) and will you be teaching us?
Steve says: I am the Chief Executive Office of Oasis Community Learning, the organisation who will be running the new Academy (and Oasis Academy Mayfield on the other side of Southampton).
I won’t be involved in teaching you but you may see me in your school sometimes as I come down to talk to you or your staff.
Q. How young were you when you opened your first school and where was it?
Steve says: I opened the first Oasis Academy in this country in September last year – in fact I opened three of them - so not much younger than I am now!
The first Oasis Academies are in Enfield (London), Wintringham (Grimsby) and Immingham.
Q: Why do our schools have to change – we don’t want them to?
Steve says: The City Council took the decision to close your school, not Oasis. Once that had been decided they then advertised for people to come and run the new schools.
Oasis was one of four organisations that applied to run the new schools.
Just like you might apply for a job Oasis had to write applications and have an interview.
The City Council then decided that, of the 4 organisations, Oasis was the one who would give students the best chance to achieve their potential.
Q: Where is Oasis?
Steve says: Oasis Community Learning’s main office is based in London but there are Oasis Academies in lots of different parts of the country
Q: Where’s Oasis going to be?
Steve says: Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill will have the Upper School on the Fair Isle Road site where Oaklands school used to be and the Lower School on the Green Lane site where Millbrook School used to be.
Uniforms
Q: When are we allowed to collect our uniform?
When do we get measured for our uniform
Steve says: Uniform collection dates will be sent out in a letter shortly, this includes the “trying on for size” dates.
Q: Will we be able to order extra uniform items when we pick up the free ones?
Steve says: Yes you will
Q: Can we have prices for the uniforms?
Steve says: These will go out with parent letters which are due shortly.
Q: Will the students who get free school uniforms at the moment still be able to get them?
Steve says: Yes, if you are entitled to receive help with your uniform from the Local Authority that will not change.
Q: Can we loosen our ties/remove our blazers and why do we have to ask to do so? (we had lots of questions about blazers and ties so we have not reproduced them all)
Steve says: All reasonable requests will be listened to – just ask your teacher in your lesson.
If we say that students don’t have to wear blazers then there is little point in having a uniform in the first place.
The school uniform is a professional uniform, when you go out to work you will be expected to dress appropriately and we are preparing you for that environment.
Q: I don’t like the grey trousers, I won’t be able to find any to fit me and they are more expensive.
Steve says: There are plenty of places where you can get grey trousers in a wide range of sizes, if you got to George at Asda or Flo and Fred at Tesco then you will find them. Matalan also do a good range. You can also of course get the trousers from Skoolkit.
You will get used to the uniform, it does look very smart and the most important thing is that you have a high quality learning experience.
Q: Will we have non uniform days?
Steve says: This is a suggestion you could put through your school or house council.
Q: If a child has medical problems which means that they cannot get shoes to fit what will happen?
Steve says: You would need to make an appointment to come in and see Ian Golding or one of the Deputies or Heads of House to discuss this.
Q: Are we allowed to wear make up and jewellery and if so how much?
Steve says: The Principal will leave that to your discretion and you need to be sensible about it – if you are wearing make up or jewellery that is over the top then you will be asked to remove it. You will need to use your common sense.
Q: Are we allowed to wear dolly shoes and if not why not?
Steve says: It depends on what you mean by dolly shoes. Some of the smaller ballet-pump style shoes are just not safe when you are going up and down stairs, running around outside and taking part in science experiments. They are great for a night out but not so good for school – so again, use your good judgement. There is a list of acceptable shoes styles on the website if you wanted to have a look at it.
Q: Do we have to have special bags or can we use the ones that we have?
Steve says: You can use your own bags.
Q: Do we have to wear shorts in PE?
Steve says: There is an optional tracksuit bottom that you can purchase instead.
Q: Are you allowed to wear polo shirts instead of blouses/shirts?
Steve says: Not during the normal lesson time, but polo shirts can be worn for PE classes.
Q: What do the ties look like?
Steve says: They are navy blue with lighter blue detail.
Q: Can we wear black trousers?
Steve says: No. The uniform has mid-grey trousers.
Q: Are the ties optional - like clip-on ties or non clip-on ties?
Steve says: The ties for Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill will be non-clip on ties.
Academy Facilities & the Building
Q: Are we getting a PDA or laptop cos that's what people are saying I'm 14 going up to yr 10.
Steve says: It is unlikely that Year 10s will get a pda or laptop but there will be a major improvement in the on-site IT facilities from September.
Q: Why do the year 11’s get a plasma TV?
Steve says: There will be additional IT facilities for everyone, the year 11’s will have privileges that everyone will get to as they grow up through the Academy.
Q: Is it true that we are having a Nintendo Wii?
Steve says: We are looking at a whole lot of things that will make your time in school enjoyable.
Q: Will the students have lockers?
Steve says: This is yet to be confirmed
Q: Free school meals and the swipe card system?
Steve says: There will be a swipe card system in place for the new school building, however it will not be possible to put this into the old buildings for September as they cost around £30,000 per system.
Q: Are we going to have a school bus?
Steve says: We hope that there will be some kind of extra transport laid on for the students, we are talking to the bus company now about putting in a
shuttle bus between the schools and also going down into Lords Wood. There may be a small cost for this but we will keep it as low as possible.
Q: Will we have a prom?
Steve says: This would be a good question to raise through your school or house council in September.
Q: Can we use a folder and bring our pencil cases in?
Steve says: Yes. You can, and should, bring your own equipment in.
Q: Why is the Academy website so boring, can’t you improve it please?
Steve says: The website is undergoing some improvement – and we are waiting for you as the students to help us with this in the new term!
Q: Is there a swimming pool?
Steve says: The swimming pool is currently on the Upper School site.
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Curriculum
Q: What actions are in place to make sure that there are no clashes between students?
Steve says: All students will have taken part in a range of integration activities before term starts. Students will be expected to behave professionally and appropriately when in school and anyone whose behaviour is not acceptable will need to understand that they will have to face the consequences of their actions. We would hope that fighting and poor behaviour would become a thing of the past.
Q: With the mixed ability classes – what if this doesn’t work – i.e. students not learning as they should?
Steve says: If students are struggling in lessons we will establish intervention to support them.
Q: Will there be extra encouragement for students to do well as there is now? Now they get certificates for bowling and ice skating trips?
Steve says: Yes, yes yes! The Academy Leadership Team are planning an exciting new approach to this aspect of school life - watch this space!
Q: Are students going to have school photographs taken? Secondary schools don’t seem to have these now but it is nice for the students to look back on?
Steve says: I think photographs are a great idea! Oasis is looking into photos at the Academy.
Q: Will students get separate IT lessons that are not integrated with another subject?
Steve says: ICT lessons are integrated in KS3 and separate in KS4
Q: What is happening with our tutor groups?
Steve says: Your tutor groups will have people with mixed ages in, you will also have more than one tutor so that you can get all the help that you need to achieve well.
Q: Will we have lots of trips?
Steve says: Yes – there will be lots of opportunities for educational visits both locally and further afield
Q: Why do we have to finish school at 5pm on some days?
Steve says: You don’t. If you choose to take part in an after school activity that finishes at 5 then that is up to you.
Q: When does the school day start and finish?
Steve says: click here to see an outline timetable for the Academy.
Q: Can the school end earlier?
Steve says: The school timings have now been confirmed and are unlikely to change.
Q: What clubs will there be?
Steve says: There will be a wide range of clubs – if there is something specific that you would like to do – let your teachers and school council know.
Q: How am I going to know what clubs there are?
Steve says: There will be lots of advertising and your mentor will tell you.
Q: Do we have a football club?
Steve says: You will have the chance to take part in a wide range of sports.
Q: Is there a breakfast club?
Steve says: Not yet but there might well be in the future
Q: How many teachers are at the school?
Steve says: Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill will have 74 teaching staff and 134 support staff.
Q: How many lessons are there?
Steve says: There are three lessons of 50 minutes each per day.
You can also go to our general Q&A page to see further frequently asked questions, or to submit your own question via email.
GalleryComing soon...