New Families Welcome Information

Bonjour, I am Mrs Roche, the MFL subject leader here at Oasis Academy Shortheath.  As MFL lead, my role is to support teachers, promote a love of language learning across our school and to monitor the progress of the children.  I believe early language learning is important as it gives children a good understanding of the structure of other languages and it gives children the opportunity to develop their cultural understanding. It also supports the children’s transition into the local secondary schools that also teach French alongside other languages and encourages and promotes a lifelong love of learning a language.

To support the progress children make across Key Stage 2, I have created a series of knowledge organisers that focus on Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing, Phonics and Grammar. They also show the vocabulary learnt in each class and how it builds over the years. Our MFL curriculum ensures that all pupils develop key language learning skills set out by the national curriculum, as well as a love of languages and learning about other cultures. At OASH, the children develop a love of learning languages in class through a variety of fun ways such as singing, playing games, speaking and listening, role -play activities, reading stories and writing tasks.

My own passion for language learning stems back to when I worked as an au pair in Switzerland and even now as an adult, I love learning key phrases from the language of the countries I visit on holiday. Every year in school, we hold a French day to promote French/language learning throughout the whole school and to celebrate the many wonderful home languages of our own children. I believe that learning another language gives children a new and broader perspective on the world and encourages them to develop a deeper understanding of their own and other cultures and the world around, giving them with a better awareness of self, others and cultural differences.

Each child has been provided with an iPad that they can use in lessons to make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun. Pupils will even be able to continue this at home! At Short Heath, we recognise that technology plays a huge part in modern life and will only become more integral as our children grow up. By providing each child from Reception to Year 6 with their own iPad, we aim to develop children’s perception of technology as a tool for learning, innovation and discovery. Our curriculum aims to embed technology throughout all subjects and provide hands-on experiences for all. Children have the opportunity to use their ipads to enhance their learning in all subjects at school and at home as well as learn computer science discreetly. Ultimately, children will leave Short Heath as confident, able and responsible Digital Citizens. Digital citizenship lessons encompass online safety, online bullying, online privacy and identify, healthy technology usage, use of passwords, copyright and managing information online.

The Primary National Curriculum for Computing can be split into 3 strands:

• Digital Literacy: Pupils learn to use technology to express themselves and develop their ideas.
• Information Technology: Pupils learn to use technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.
• Computer Science: Pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.

As Science lead, my role is to support teachers, promote a love of scientific discovery across our school and to monitor the progress of the children.  I believe Science is a way of discovering and understanding the world around you, developing your analytical skills, problems solving and has the opportunity to be creative. Science allows children to never stop questioning and realise that somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be discovered. It also supports the children’s transition into the local secondary schools that build upon the scientific skills and knowledge and promotes a lifelong love of learning Science.

To support the progress children make across the whole academy, I have created a series of knowledge organisers that focus on scientific language, exploration and investigation. They also highlight the key vocabulary learnt in each class and how it progresses over the years. Our Science curriculum, (PlanBee) ensures that all pupils develop the key scientific skills, set out by the national curriculum.  At OASH, the children use many cross curricular skills within Science lessons from data handling and statistics to grammar and punctuation.

Most importantly, at OASH we walk children through the scientific method and show them that it is not only real and relevant but that it is most of all fun.

At Short Heath, we believe that PE plays an important part in the lives of the children when it comes to their health and well-being. We also believe it is a vital and important part of a student’s education as it gives them the opportunity to learn so many new skills. Here at Short Heath, we aim to provide a wide-ranging experience for all children, such as: inter-house and outer-school competitions, weekly circuit training fitness sessions, after-school clubs, swimming, visits to international sporting events, the chance to meet previous and current GB athletes and the opportunity to become an ambassador for sport within our school. There is so much to look forward to about Physical Education at Short Heath, and our super PE team will be there to support you all the way. 

 Oasis Academy Short Heath is a school deeply committed to the development of musical knowledge and fostering of talent among all pupils. In addition to high quality statutory music provision, the Academy runs a number of instrumental lessons alongside classroom music lessons to develop children’s enthusiasm, enjoyment and creativity within Music.

We currently have specialist music teachers in the Academy every week who give guitar and keyboard lessons to children in Key Stage 2. We are passionate about providing lessons to children regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be and therefore all instrumental lessons are subsidised by the academy.

In addition to these lessons, all children in Year 4 have access to free woodwind lessons as part of the Birmingham Music Service WCIT lessons. The programme is delivered, to all pupils in every Year 4 class, by a Music Service teacher working in close partnership with the class teacher for a session of about 45 minutes per class each week for the full year. Each session will provide a variety of linked activities including singing and opportunities for composition and improvisation. Each child will be loaned an instrument which, after careful preparation and training, they will be able to take home for practice. Children also have the opportunity to continue their woodwind lessons in Year 5 and 6 at a subsided price.

Music is delivered as a fully inclusive discipline at Oasis Academy Short Heath, enabling all children to develop a thirst for Music education.

We teach Design and Technology in a way that inspires creativity and imagination. Pupils design and make products considering the product, purpose and user. Our children have the opportunity to evaluate past and present design and technology, understanding the impact on daily life. When designing, they communicate their ideas through diagrams and templates/mock models. They learn technical knowledge relating to structures, mechanisms, textiles and food technology. They develop skills when using various tools, considering accuracy and safety. There are opportunities to evaluate and test their ideas and products, ensuring that it meets the initial design brief.

We are all really excited to meet you and teach you all about Art! Art is an amazing subject that teaches you a variety of skills from experimenting with colour and pattern in Early Years to exploring blending/shading techniques in Year 6. You will have the opportunity to learn about the different roles and purposes of artists, craftspeople and designers from different times and cultures within your Art lessons here at Short Heath. 

During your time with us you will be given the chance to use a variety of different tools and media/materials, whilst also learning the importance how to care of the different Art equipment. 

We have excellent teachers that will help inspire you to use your imagination and explore your creativity!

I look forward to welcoming you to Oasis Academy Short Heath.

Forest School is an enjoyable, outdoor learning environment. The children are able to build on their self-esteem, confidence, independence and communication skills . Children learn about their local environment and how to support the local wildlife. They make many crafts using natural materials and play lots of games, whilst sometimes getting wet and muddy at the same time (the most fun bit).

We are very fortunate, here at Oasis Academy Short Heath, to have our own Forest School Area.

Nursery to Year 2 go to our School’s Forest School space, in our grounds ,once a week for 4 – 6 weeks. This is with myself or Miss Richards ,who is also a Forest School Lead, and another member of staff and a small group of children.

We look forward to you joining our school and learning the amazing things about our local wildlife!