Local school plans busy year ahead

STAFF and pupils of local school, Oakfield Academy, are looking ahead to the year after a successful 2023.

January started with discussions with Frome Town Council and the proposed project to improve road safety in the area with the Safer School Streets initiative.

“During last year’s spring term, the Academy were delighted to receive the government’s 100% Gatsby Benchmark Award, rewarding the high-quality careers programme that is in place, allowing pupils a wide range of career talks and advice on how to develop key employability skills,” says a spokesperson for the school. “This includes a visit to Bath University, understanding T Levels, apprenticeships and traineeships.

“In March, everybody enjoyed a wonderfully successful World Book Day and were incredibly proud of pupil Lillian Tucker who raised an incredible £110 in a sponsored read; fabulous outfits were worn by staff and pupils and the academy was buzzing with excitement. We also organised an Inter-House Pi and Neurodiversity Day for our pupils; activities relating to Pi and its uses took place including themed lessons with puzzles and competitions to recite the most digits of Pi (congratulations to Gideon who managed 34!)

“Later in the month we were incredibly proud to host a Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) Screening Day, organised by Shirley Wort and her husband; Shirley retired after 22 years of fundraising which benefited the charity with over £50,000.

“At the end of the spring term we enjoyed the spectacular which is Oakfield’s Got Talent. In a packed hall pupils had the opportunity to showcase their talent and did themselves proud in the process. Our hall was packed with family and friends and the atmosphere was electric. Our Nurture Class visited the Bath & West for an informative Field to Food experience, a day they won’t forget in a hurry!

“In May we celebrated the Coronation of the King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with a breath-taking demonstration by Sharandys Birds of Prey. Fortunately, we had organised an indoor celebration as sadly the weather was not kind. The pupils were amazed and silent as the owls flew closely over their heads, it was an impressive site to see.

“Into the summer term, we enjoyed an incredible array of speakers, trips and activities including visits by author, Finbar Hawkins, the Somerset Road Safety Team, Wessex Water and trips

to Stonehenge, Braeside Activity Centre, Charterhouse, Paris plus a Plastic Fashion Show and a Take your Child to Work Day, to name just a few!

“Our Year 6 held an Enterprise Day which raised £1,238 to support their future trips and activities and we welcomed Bath Astronomers to the Academy and pupils had the opportunity to observe the structure of the sun safely. A huge thank you also to family and friends who joined us to support Sports Days.

“After saying goodbye to our Year 8 pupils in July, we returned in September to welcome new pupils and staff. The Frome Carnival was a glorious occasion, with Oakfield once again winning the schools category. The autumn term saw celebrations for our trustee (Mr Smart) and admin officer (Mrs Warren), who both achieved 25 years’ service with our school.

“We are all looking forward to an exciting a fulfilling 2024 with so many activities and trips already planned for the year.”