School Life
Values and Ethos
Ossett Academy is a dynamic community that promotes enjoyment in learning and extensive opportunities for young people in a warm and friendly environment. Our pupils consistently achieve positive outcomes in both their GCSE and A Level studies. This academic excellence does not happen by accident; it is as a result of the highest expectations of all our pupils and staff. We work in partnership with pupils and parents to ensure the very best academic achievements for all our pupils. We encourage pupils to have a love for learning. We believe we provide them with the right skills, aptitudes and an appetite for learning that will last for a lifetime.
Equipment
Pupils need to arrive at the academy every day with a pencil case which includes; pen (black or blue ink) and spares, purple pen (sold by the Box in Ossett as well as other high street stationers), pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, ruler and a scientific calculator. (Compass and protractor is optional as this can be supplied by your child’s teacher in lesson). A sturdy bag is also needed to contain their books, pencil case and planner.
Uniform
Ossett Academy strongly believes that pupils should be smartly dressed. We expect all of our pupils to attend wearing the Academy’s uniform correctly. Uniform checks take place on a daily basis, as pupils arrive at the academy, and throughout the day. Any pupil wearing items that do not conform to our policy will be asked to change into Academy uniform or asked to go home and change (subject to parental permission).
Expectations for Recognition and Sanctions
Staff will praise pupils for their homework as appropriate, e.g. through verbal praise, star stamps or SLT praise.
Where homework is not completed this should be recorded in a pupil’s planner to allow Academy staff and parents/carers to monitor the completion rates for homework.
Staff may use appropriate sanctions for pupils who fail to complete homework such as keeping a pupil in at break to complete the work. Alternatively, staff may choose to keep pupils after school. This should be arranged with parents/carers via a note in their planner and a phone call home.
Where pupils persistently fail to complete homework on a regular basis (at least three times in a half term) then additional parental contact should be made beyond a planner note and pupils may be asked to attend a standards detention as necessary to complete the homework.
Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions
From time to time pupils may experience a temporary illness or health concern, however if your child has a long term or chronic condition which necessitates medication being taken during the school day or may pose a barrier to their learning, the academy are able to develop an ‘Individual Health Care Plan’ where this is appropriate. This will detail the nature of your child’s condition, medication and the necessary actions that need to be taken in order to support them during their time at Ossett Academy.
Anti-Bullying: Prevention and Support
Ossett Academy take concerns regarding bullying extremely seriously and combat this using a range of strategies. When your child joins Ossett Academy, their Form Tutor will continue to support their transition, whilst also reinforcing expectations. We appreciate that bullying may be a common concern around pupils as they transition to secondary school; in response all pupils receive education and awareness about bullying and how to respond to it should it occur.
Homework
Ossett Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are focused not only on supporting our pupils in their aspirations and academic goals, but also on their personal well-being and safety.
A highly dedicated and trained team of pastoral staff will work with your child’s teachers to ensure that they are supported through their academic career at Ossett Academy. This team is comprised of the Pastoral Year Leaders, Education Welfare Officer, Attendance Officer, Child Protection Officer and Mental Health Support Worker.
Our last Ofsted report states “Quite rightly, safeguarding is a priority for all staff. The leaders entrusted with safeguarding matters act quickly, and with tenacity, to address any issues that arise.” Children will be taken seriously and supported if they seek help from a member of staff. Pupils are supported through a range of bespoke provision within the academy and from external providers. Led by Assistant Principal, Mrs Gayle Rowe, the Safeguarding Team work together to ensure that any concerns regarding pupil safety are addressed and endeavour to work in partnership with families wherever possible.
Pupil Well-being and Safeguarding
Ossett Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are focused not only on supporting our pupils in their aspirations and academic goals, but also on their personal well-being and safety.
A highly dedicated and trained team of pastoral staff will work with your child’s teachers to ensure that they are supported through their academic career at Ossett Academy. This team is comprised of the Pastoral Year Leaders, Education Welfare Officer, Attendance Officer, Child Protection Officer and Mental Health Support Worker.
Our last Ofsted report states “Quite rightly, safeguarding is a priority for all staff. The leaders entrusted with safeguarding matters act quickly, and with tenacity, to address any issues that arise.” Children will be taken seriously and supported if they seek help from a member of staff. Pupils are supported through a range of bespoke provision within the academy and from external providers. Led by Assistant Principal, Mrs Gayle Rowe, the Safeguarding Team work together to ensure that any concerns regarding pupil safety are addressed and endeavour to work in partnership with families wherever possible.
Music Lessons / Groups
We have peripatetic music teachers visiting the academy each week. Lessons are approximately twenty minutes and are usually rotated so that pupils to do not miss the same lesson each week. Budding musicians are encouraged to join the academy orchestra, string group or choir, every year the academy puts on a Musical Showcase for parents/carers.
Enrichment Activities
Ossett Academy offers a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities and educational visits across all year groups. The extra-curricular timetable can be found on the Academy website each year, and there are opportunities for pupils to get involved on a daily basis. These include sporting clubs, such as; Football, Hockey, Trampolining, Rounders, and Rugby. There are opportunities in music, such as; Choir, Ukulele group, guitar club, and other clubs include; cookery club, Art clubs, drama, ICT clubs, Photography, Film club, and many more. There is also the opportunity for pupils to use the facilities in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) after school, break, or lunch times. Every department across the Academy offers some educational visits in order to extend pupils learning, and their experiences.
Refreshments
Ossett Academy provides refreshments in Mayo Hall, Frankland Hall and Park House Cafe. Mayo Hall is open every morning and provides a range of breakfast items for purchase. Mayo and Frankland halls are opened at break and lunchtime, with Park House Cafe open for lunch. At break time a range of snack options and sandwiches are available, with hot meals also available at lunch. Pupils are able to bring a refillable water bottle which they can fill from water coolers around the academy site at break or lunch time. This will reduce the use of single use plastics and ensure that pupils are hydrated throughout the day.
The main academy kitchen operates a cashless system run through the online system Tucasi. Parents can set up a Tucasi account on line and top up from home using a credit/debit card. Parents can access updates on spend and balances on this system. Pupils are able to see their spend each time they purchase something at the kitchen and also their balance.
Allergy Information
Gluten free options are available on request in the academy kitchen (e.g. wraps, jacket potatoes, pasta) - pupils should speak with the kitchen staff if they have a request for lunch that day. Nuts are not used in the academy kitchen as a general rule; however we cannot guarantee that purchased products have been produced in an environment free from traces of nuts.
Admissions Information
Admissions to Ossett Academy are controlled by Wakefield Local Authority (the LA). ‘The Guide for Parents’ gives the full details of the policy and is available below.
At Ossett Academy, approximately 310 students will enter Year 7. The annual admissions limit is set by the LA after consultation with the Academy Education Committee.
All applications must be made via the Wakefield Enroll Online System or via the Wakefield Schools Application Pack (provided to your child’s current primary school).
Any application to Ossett Academy will be considered by the following criteria providing that the applications received do not exceed the annual admission limit and are received before the closing dates:
Applications received by the closing date (20th November 2023) via the normal submissions.
Late applications received between the closing date for the normal admissions round and the end of the summer terms.
Applications received after the closing date will be regarded as ‘late applications’ and will not be considered until after the normal submissions have been allocated.
Offers will be communicated on 1st March by the Wakefield Admissions Team.
Transition
You can find out more about transition from our Year 6 dedicated web page.