End of Term Letter - Summer 1 2025
Posted 23rd May 2025
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we approach the end of the first half of the summer term, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredibly busy and exciting few weeks here at Oatlands Junior School. From the focus and determination shown by our Year 6 pupils during their SATs, to the adventurous spirit of our Year 4s on their residential trip to Robinwood, it’s been a term full of memorable moments and proud achievements.
We’ve also celebrated French Week with great enthusiasm, marked VE Day with thoughtful activities, and seen fantastic participation in a wide range of clubs, tournaments, and in-school events. The energy and engagement from our pupils have been truly inspiring, and we’re so grateful for your continued support in making all this possible.
SATs
Our Year 6 Pupils took the SATs in their stride, completing each of the assessments to the very best of their ability. The Year 6 Team are extremely proud of the efforts put in during, and leading up to, these assessments. The children can now look forward to their final half-term at OJS, with summer fair stalls to prepare and end of year shows to rehearse, alongside many other fantastic events. Well done Year 6!
Mrs Ritchie, Mrs Fretwell, Miss Starrett, Mrs Wilkinson
School visits/visitors
We’ve been delighted to welcome a variety of visitors to school this half term, each bringing something special to enrich our pupils’ learning. The Harrogate Grammar School Orchestra treated us to a fantastic live performance, inspiring many of our budding musicians. Our Encore brass teacher has continued to spark enthusiasm in our instrumentalists, while visiting tennis coaches from Harrogate Racquets have brought energy and skill to our PE sessions. Beyond the school grounds, Year 6 pupils enjoyed an educational visit to Leeds Station, gaining valuable insights into travel and geography. Meanwhile, Macaw class had an exciting morning at Rossett School, taking part in an Eko STEM event that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
French Week
This year’s French week has focused on a francophone region of the world – we have been learning about Canada, its geography, the history and why it has such a large number of French speakers. We’ve also learned a little about some French Canadian artists and listened to some Quebecois songs.
A huge thank you to all of our visitors this week. Your enthusiasm for language learning has been truly inspiring for our pupils, who have been able to see the importance of languages and cultural understanding and the role they could play in their futures.
Miss Hind
VE Day
Our school marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a heartfelt celebration, bringing together students and staff to honour this pivotal moment in history. Through themed activities and street parties we commemorated the courage and unity that defined the end of World War II in Europe.
Mrs Stockton, Mrs Lynn and Miss Beaty
Poetry Slam
In January, we had the fantastic Maria Ferguson in our school, running a poetry workshop with our Year 6s! All of year 6 then took part in a poetry slam and the winning team went to Leeds a few weeks ago to compete against children from across Yorkshire! The children also saw performances from the likes of Rob Bradley and were inspired and impressed by how their peers had interpreted the theme of ‘Counting’ in their performances. We are incredibly proud of our Oatlands representatives for having the confidence to stand on stage in front of many strangers. As an added bonus, our team was highly commended amidst strong competition! To quote Maria, ‘Proud of you!’
Miss Starrett
Dr Bike/Bike Bus
"Dr Bike - a team of mechanics - have visited Oatlands Infant and Junior Schools to help service bicycles and encourage children to maintain healthy travel habits.
"Dr Bike often visit schools and shops to provide fully funded bike servicing to the community.
"And Oatlands are champions of cycle to school safety, with their ‘Bike Bus’ encouraging children and parents to leave their car behind and reduce traffic congestion around school.
"The schools connected with the Dr Bike team when they provided Bike Bus marshal training, funded through the Opening School Facilities grant, after being signposted by local road action hero Hazel Peacock and North Yorkshire Sport Education Manager Niall O’Brien."
Your Harrogate (Tuesday 13th May)
We have had a fantastic turn out and excellent weather for all the Bike Buses this half term. It has been wonderful to see children from both the Infant and Junior School riding together with their parents and enjoying a safe journey into school. Once again, we would like to offer huge thanks to everyone involved and give a special mention to our volunteer marshals who help to keep everyone safe. A huge thanks to Hazel Peacock and Ben Mortimer for co-ordinating each event and continuing to arrange our fabulous Bike Bus.
Mr Morley
Smartphone Free Childhood
In March, the Oatlands Smartphone Free Childhood Group conducted a survey at Oatlands Juniors School to understand how smartphone usage affects students. We wanted to see how it impacts their social lives, and overall well-being. The survey was also an opportunity to consider the network of support parents and carers might want to be involved in and the topics such a group could cover.
Find the results on our website.
Mr Morley
Jack and the Beanstalk Pantomime December 2025
It may seem a little early to talk about Christmas but we are delighted to share that we have booked tickets for the whole school to see Jack and the Beanstalk at Harrogate Theatre on Wednesday 17th December 2025. We wanted to make you aware as soon as possible because we are conscious that this may be something you are considering booking yourselves. More details about the trip will be shared in a letter in September.
Miss Mansfield
Social Media
Our Instagram account is now live. Follow to find out more about all the exciting things that children at Oatlands Junior School get up to. We will continue to post news stories on our website, to give parents and carers a range of places to find out about children’s learning.
Follow at: Instagram
A polite reminder that our Instagram is for sharing celebrations and not a platform for parents/carers/followers to air complaints or negative comments about our school. Please do contact your child’s class teacher or me if there is something you are unhappy about, so that we can work together to resolve any issue. Thank you.
Parent / Carer Helpers
A huge thank you to all our parent helpers who have supported our pupils in school or accompanied classes on trips. It really does make a difference, and I really appreciate your time and generosity.
The Summer term curriculum overviews are also on the school website for each year group:
Oatlands Junior School - Red Kite Learning Trust - Summer
We always welcome parent/carer volunteers to help with any school trip or into school to read with children. If any of the topics for next half term are of a particular interest to you, then please contact your child’s class teacher. Last year, we welcomed a number of parents into school to share their professions or interests in STEM, during British Science week. If would be lovely for the children to experience this again. Please contact Miss Allenby, if you are interested visiting school during this week Monday 2nd - Friday 6th June. Thank you!
