OPGS Prospectus - Oakwood Park Grammar School

An exceptional learning experience
www.opgs.org

Quality teaching that engages and
challenges
Every student, whatever their strengths, can fulfil
their academic potential if they are given the
opportunity to develop as a person. It is our job
at OPGS to help them achieve this. Our highly
qualified staff combine fresh, innovative ideas
with tried and tested academic practice to ensure
consistently excellent results.
Our curriculum offers personalised learning
for every pupil, with the diversity of the student
population catered for by a large choice of subjects,
targeted programmes for High Performers and
total integration of those with Special Educational
Needs. Our teaching has received recognition from
the Prince’s Teaching Institute, for which members
of our Maths, Science and History departments
have presented at national conferences. Our use
of Thinking Skills across the curriculum has led to
national recognition from the University of Exeter
and collaboration with the Malaysian Education
Department.
OPGS has a longstanding reputation for excellent
pastoral care. We pride ourselves on supporting
all students and working closely with parents.
Teaching is designed to academically stretch all
students and teachers are aware of the strengths
of all students so that tasks can be differentiated
accordingly. Ultimately, our success can be seen
in our results at GCSE and A Level. Particularly
noteworthy is the achievement of two students in
2013 who gained places at Oxford and Cmbridge
Universities to study Languages and History
respectively.
‘Teaching ensures students have a detailed understanding of how to improve
their work, secures their immediate engagement in challenging learning activities,
probes and pushes their understanding through excellent questioning and requires
them to apply and lead learning.’
Ofsted Report
‘We have a committed group of teachers
who treat us as individuals and trust us
to develop our skills and knowledge in a
climate of mutual respect.’
Student

Innovative curriculum development
Innovation and the sharing of good practice
across the curriculum underpin the success
of Oakwood Park. By nurturing a passion for
teaching and learning in our staff we continually
improve and strengthen our ability to maximise
each student’s potential. Every member of staff
shares responsibility for important educational
developments which enhance the learning
experience of our students.
Key Stage 3 comprises Years 7 and 8 and a wide
variety of subjects are taught so that students and
parents can make well informed GCSE choices.
Thinking Skills are also embedded and serves
students well in their learning throughout their
time at Oakwood Park.
GCSEs are taught in Key Stage 4; Years 9,10 and
11. This 3 year programme means that deep and
broad knowledge is acquired, giving students the
best possible opportunity to excel in final exams
in Year 11. As befits a high achieving grammar
school, key features of our GCSE curriculum are;
English Language and Literature, Maths, Biology,
Chemistry, Physics, a Language, Religious Studies
and a choice between Computing and ICT for all
and a free choice of 3 other subjects from a wide
range, although it is strongly recommended that all
pupils study a Humanity.
The 3-year Key Stage 4 creates the time and
opportunity for students to follow an enrichment
programme and they gain a qualification in First
Aid and complete a Higher Project (equivalent to
half a GCSE) on a topic of their choice, as well as
receiving sessions on Study Skills and Information,
Advice and Guidance.
www.opgs.org
‘The curriculum is mostly about our main important subjects, but the options
mean we also study GCSEs we really enjoy and need for our career. The enrichment
programme is great as we learn life skills like First Aid not covered in a typical
grammar school curriculum.’
Student
‘The outstanding, well-tailored
curriculum supports students’ high
attainment, widens their horizons and
inspires them to aim high.’
Ofsted Report

A positive climate for learning
Essential to our commitment to provide an
exceptional learning experience is the trust we
place in our students to play a prominent role in
the school’s decision making processes.
For example, student panels help in the
appointment of new teachers and key internal
positions. Students are also trained in observing
lessons and their feedback is highly valued.
Prefects from both the Middle School and the
Sixth Form play a vital role in the day-to-day
running of the school and present the public
face of the school at Open Evenings and other
functions such as plays and concerts.
activities are organised through the vertical
structure of the House System.
Oakwood Park makes a point of celebrating
achievement in all its guises, whether that’s
excellence in the classroom, on the playing
field, through performing arts or via valued
contributions to school life. We award special ties
and House Points to encourage team spirit and
host annual prize-giving ceremonies for students
and their families.
As part of ensuring that everyone is happy, older
students often academically and socially mentor
their younger peers. Enrichment Days give many
opportunities for Sixth Formers to coach and
supervise younger year groups, especially when
‘Students feel absolutely safe and very well cared for. Strong and trusting
relationships are an important factor in students’ enjoyment of learning, their
good behaviour and high attendance.’
Ofsted Report
‘I’m treated as an individual and my
teachers are always willing to listen to
my ideas and my concerns. I’ve never
been bullied, but if I was I know my
form tutor would help me.’
Student

Learning beyond the classroom
It’s not all about academic achievement at
Oakwood Park. Encouraging students to get
involved in extra-curricular activities is equally
important for their development, both as
individuals and members of a community. Sport
and the Performing Arts are at the heart of school
life. As well as football, rugby, cricket, basketball,
athletics and tennis teams, we have a thriving
rowing club and regular inter-house competitions.
Our Music department hold regular concerts
featuring a range of ensembles and combines
with the Drama department for our annual
productions; Grease and Cabaret packed in the
audiences in recent years and students from all
year groups work enthusiastically to put on shows
with exceedingly high production values.
At the end of the year all Year 7 and Year 8
students take part in residential visits to Norfolk
and France respectively and the study of
languages is enhanced by regular opportunities
to visit France, Spain and Germany. Over 50
Year 9 students successfully complete the Bronze
Duke of Edinburgh Award each year. Trips to
Cuba and South Africa (the latter being a very
successful football and rugby tour) during the
school’s Golden Jubilee year of 2009-10 caused
great excitement and attention has now turned to
fostering links with a school in Ghana which will
see many of our students visiting Africa in coming
years.
It’s the school’s Enrichment Days, however,
that really epitomise our commitment to extracurricular
learning. For one day every fortnight
lessons are replaced by a variety of other activities,
many of them cross-curricular in nature.
Educational visits are a big feature with highlights
being the First World War Battlefields of Belgium,
the Globe Theatre, Lille or Aachen Christmas
Market and the Art galleries of London.
‘Cross-curricular and extended projects delivered through the school’s enrichment
programme increase relevance and demonstrate the links between subjects. The
great variety of extra-curricular activities is valued very much by students.’
Ofsted Report
‘There is a large range of opportunities
to explore my subjects outside the
classroom which I can utilise in my
work’
Student

Information, advice and guidance for all
We believe in encouraging our students to
pursue those areas that interest them and may
be relevant to their future career, so at OPGS we
have a full-time IAG Co-ordinator who helps
each pupil make the right curriculum choices for
them. Given our highly developed, multi-layered
curriculum this is a crucial role in ensuring that
each individual follows a career pathway which
suits their skills and characteristics.
In each subject area our teaching is underpinned
by Assessment for Learning which enables all
students to understand where they are in terms of
attainment and what they need to do to take their
work to the next level. Three sets of Monitoring
Grades and examination results are sent home
each year and there are two Parents’ Evenings for
each year group; one on an important theme, such
as Transition in Year 7, and one when all teachers
are available to discuss individual pupils’ progress
in each subject.
Getting students involved in the local and wider
community is key to their personal development.
The valuable work they do in supporting primary
schools, charity fundraising and encouraging
sustainability throughout the school engenders
a strong sense of social responsibility and
environmental awareness, of which they can be
proud.
All of this is clearly successful as the vast majority
of our boys remain at the school to study A Levels
and Cambridge International Pre-U qualification
in the Sixth Form and then leave us to further
their academic and vocational goals at Oxbridge,
Russell Group or 1994 universities.
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‘The high quality of care, guidance and support is a strength of the school. Staff
know students as individuals and enable them to make the best of the extensive
opportunities that are offered.’
Ofsted Report
‘Teachers, our IAG Co-ordinator and
the Timetabler are always willing to
listen and provide unbiased, expert
opinions when we are making our
important career and option choices.’ Student

Thank you for your interest in our school. Oakwood
Park Grammar School is an “outstanding school” (Ofsted
December 2011) but this recognition can only be sustained
by continued development and improvement.
We have a highly motivated and well-qualified staff,
supportive parents and perhaps most importantly, students
who are a delight to teach because of their excellent attitude
to learning.
Our mission statement “Oakwood Park Grammar School
an Exceptional Learning Experience” seeks to capture briefly
our ambition for all our students. If you want to see this
in action, do arrange a visit to the school where I will look
forward to welcoming you.
Yours sincerely,
K.W. Moody BA MA Headteacher
Oakwood Park Grammar School
Oakwood Park
Maidstone
Kent
ME16 8AH
01622 726683
office@opgs.org
www.opgs.org
‘Oakwood Park strikes the right balance between academic study and wider
achievement; because of this my son loves school and can’t wait to join the Sixth
Form.’
Parent