The School Day
We are a one tier entry primary school and nursery unit, meaning we have one of each class, giving a strong, family feel to Oakwood Integrated Primary School and Nursery Unit. Our Nursery was granted FULL-TIME NURSERY status from September 2026 and operates from 8.45am - 1.15pm.
Our school gate opens at 8.45am each morning to allow for a prompt 8.55am start to the primary school day. Once P1 have finished their induction period, they join P2-P7 in staying to 3pm Monday to Thursday and to 2pm on Fridays.
Our afternoon timetable was identified by ETI as an example of highly effective practice from which other schools may learn. The timetable runs from 1.30pm-3.00pm Monday to Thursday, for all primary pupils from P1-P7. We provide all our primary pupils with a fabulous rotation of Sports coaching, Forest School, Art, Music & Drama, Lucky Duck Playground/Outdoor Classroom, Eco and STEAM activities, utilising staff expertise in these areas.
ETI, in November 2024, stated that this aspect of practice which should be shared more widely is: • the strategic and flexible approaches to utilising staff expertise, and the creative use of curriculum time, to build capacity across the school and ensure all children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that is responsive to their individual needs.
Nursery/P6 and P1/P7 buddies also work alongside one another throughout the year.
Attendance and punctuality are essential to ensuring that your child gets the most out of their time at school. They are also important life skills that your child will need as they become young adults and enter the world of work.
Please ensure that your child arrives in time for the start of school at 8.55am. The school gate opens at 8.45m amd remains open until 8.55am. All children should be in class by 8.55am when the attendance register is taken. Late arrivals are disruptive for the child who is late, for the other pupils who will have begun lessons and for the school office. No children should be on the school grounds before 8.45am.
Prompt pick ups after school are also really important.
Pupil attendance is regularly monitored by the Principal and poor attendance reported to the Educational Welfare Officer attached to Oakwood IPS. If your child is ill, please contact the school preferably through a note to his/her class teacher via the school app.
The following year's Holiday List is distributed to parents early in the third term of each academic year, providing ample time for holidays to be planned for in the school holiday period. Please try to take holidays during school holiday periods as term-time absences obviously impact upon attendance and more importantly upon children's learning. If you decide to take your child out of school on a holiday, it is not our policy to provide school work to cover the period of absence.