Oakley College

The Primary Department is located at the Zuloaga site and covers the following ages and classes:
Age 6-11 Years 2 - 6

The main aim of this department is to provide an ambitious, stimulating education for all our pupils. This is done in a safe and supportive learning environment with strong pastoral care, which prepares students to be confident pupils when they enter the Secondary Dept aged 11. Primary students are encouraged to be self-motivated, independent thinkers. We encourage high standards by teaching teh pupils to value their own and each other's efforts and growing achievements.

Each class has its own class teacher and there are also specialist teachers within the staff for certain subjects, such as Spanish Language, PE, Art and Music.

There is a broad, balanced curriculum taught in English throughout the Primary Department where music, art, PE and ICT play an important role alongside the more academic subjects of English, mathematics, science, history and geography.Independent learning is encouraged, together with the ability to co-operate and work in groups.

All classes follow a programme of Personal and Social Education. One of the aims of Oakley is to be a place where personalities can develop. Regular monitoring of each child's progress ensures that any difficulties are quickly diagnosed. Any cause for concern, either social or academic, is identified as early as possible and strategies are put in place so that each student gets individual help and support. We have a Special Educational Needs department and a school psychologist who works alongside us.

Children in the Primary Dept. become bilingual, freely able to communicate in both English and Spanish, giving them tremendous advantage over monolingual learners.

The high academic levels are verified by the external exams that the children take at the end of Primary. In Year 6 children take the SAT (Standardised Attainment Tasks) exams in English, maths and science which are sent to England for external assessment. These exams are taken by all Year 6 children in England at the same time and ensure that the level of our children is comparable to the highest academic standards in the UK.

The atmosphere in the Primary Department is stimulating yet relaxed and is one in which children feel happy, confident and eager to learn. Most of all, the Primary Department is a fun place to be.