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  • UPDATE #3: WEDNESDAY 10th (PARTIAL REOPENING)

    Published 09/01/24

    Dear students, parents and carers

    We are still without heating and hot water in the vast majority of areas in the school site as previously shared.  However, we now have electricity and the internet up and running in most areas.

    This means that Year 11 will return to Larkmead from Wednesday 10th January.

    They will be based in the Arts block for most of their lessons, with some specialist teaching spaces also available.

    Core PE lessons will take place as timetabled, Dance, Drama and Music lessons can continue as planned.  

    Year 13 will attend for their exams only from Thursday 11th January. These exams will take place in the Arts block as the gym remains out of action.

    We also intend to invite in those students recognised as ‘vulnerable’, and individual invitations will follow.

    Lessons will take place in CR1 and the LRC, with Learning Support also available.

    Students should please bring in their own plug in headphones to access online learning.

    The canteen will not be in action, so students should please bring in their own packed lunches.

    The trips planned for different year groups this week will all go ahead as intended. OCC school transport will be up and running so that students can attend as normal.

    All students should wear their normal uniform. Some areas of the school are without heating, and while students will be based in heated blocks their teachers may venture into other specialist spaces for some lessons if that is appropriate and effective. We suggest that students may wish to wear layers, and we will monitor how this goes.

    We have had to prioritise exam classes and vulnerable students in the first instance, and remote learning will continue at this time for other years.

    Lack of heating is the main barrier to having all students back in school. We now have a heavy duty generator on site to supply electricity, but the underground boiler house was under more than 4 feet of water and this is obviously having a significant impact on these areas of the school. There is a great deal of work taking place to move this forward and we will continue to review our plans as things develop and keep you updated.

    Thank you for your patience, adaptability and support. Please do get in contact with the school if you have any questions.

    Best wishes

    Jonathan Dennett

    Headteacher
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  • UPDATE #2: TUESDAY 9TH (FLOODING)

    Published 08/01/24

    Dear students, parents and carers

    Unfortunately, Larkmead will remain closed to all students on Tuesday as a result of the continued impact of the flooding. 

    Heating, hot water and power remain off in over 30 classrooms and in many other spaces as shared over the weekend. There remains no internet or IT access across the school, and we have very few classrooms/teaching spaces with electricity. 

    Remote learning will need to continue for Tuesday at least. Not having access to school resources as well as the impact of flooding and storm damage across Oxfordshire has meant that some teachers have been working from their local library today. This dedication is amazing but cannot be sustained, and we will need to manage the remote learning that can be set mindful of these wider restrictions for teachers and families. We also understand that remote learning creates challenges for families, and appreciate your patience as we work hard to resolve the power and IT issues.

    A second round of FSM vouchers should be distributed today, which is the best solution available without the facilities to prepare food in school. 

    We will keep parents informed as the situation develops. 

    Thank you   

    Jonathan Dennett
    Headteacher FCCT


     

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  • UPDATE: Larkmead closed to all students – Monday 8th JanuarY

    Published 06/01/24

    Dear students, parents and carers.

    I am writing to update you on the flooding at Larkmead. Flooding across the school site means that Larkmead will unfortunately have to be closed to students on Monday 8th January in the first instance, with further disruption expected. 


    As well as the known loss of heating and hot water, it is now clear that flooding in one of our boiler houses has wiped out electricity in that area, impacting around 30 classrooms as well as toilets, offices, learning support, common room, gym, hall and canteen. We have also lost some electricity supply to other areas of the school. 

    The site team are working hard to address the situation with the support of the Vale Academy Trust.

    We will aim to switch to remote learning on Monday, but this may be impacted by teachers’ access to technology and materials. Loss of electricity across much of the school will have an impact. 

    Flooding has prevented catering deliveries, but we have been able to send vouchers to families in receipt of free school meals on Monday. The company have asked us to advise parents of children not in receipt of FSM to please provide packed lunches while the situation with the canteen is addressed.

    We thank you for your patience and support as we assess what is becoming a more complicated situation and what will be possible for Tuesday onwards.

    Thank you
    Jonathan Dennett
    Headteacher
    Larkmead School

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  • Monday 8th January - Larkmead closed to all students

    Published 05/01/24

    Larkmead closed to all students – Monday 8th January

    Dear students, parents and carers.

    Flooding across the school site means that Larkmead will unfortunately have to be closed to students on Monday 8 January.


    Flooding in one of our boiler houses has wiped out heating and hot water in that area, impacting around 30 classrooms as well as toilets, offices, common room, gym, hall and canteen.

    The site team are working hard to address the situation with the support of the Vale Academy Trust, but we wanted to let everyone know as soon as possible.

    We will aim to switch to remote learning on Monday, but this may be impacted by teachers’ access to technology and materials.

    Flooding has prevented catering deliveries, so unfortunately the catering company will not be able to provide free school meals on Monday. The company have asked us to advise parents of children not in receipt of FSM to please provide packed lunches while the situation with the canteen is addressed.

    We thank you for your patience and support as we assess the situation and what will be possible for Tuesday onwards.

    Thank you
    Jonathan Dennett
    Headteacher
    Larkmead School

    Read More

  • Larkmead Christmas Celebration

    Published 24/11/23
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  • Sixth Form Open Evening – 16th November 6.00pm

    Published 06/11/23
    Dear parents and carers of Year 11 students, We are delighted to invite you to the Larkmead School Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 16th November. The evening will consist of a presentation covering points such as: · Why should you ch
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  • OPEN EVENTS 2023

    Published 19/09/23

    Larkmead Open Events 2023

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  • Sixth Form Open Evening - 10th November - 5:45pm

    Published 18/10/22
    Sixth Form Open Evening - 10th November - 5:45pm Dear Parents and Carers of Year 11 students, I am delighted to invite you to the Larkmead School Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 10th November. The evening will consist of a talk covering poi
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  • Music Department Clubs

    Published 12/10/22
    Come along to the MPR at lunchtimes to play or sing in these exciting music ensembles. All students receive house points along with being invited to music events.   
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  • Larkmead Open Evening Thursday 6th October 17.30-20.00

    Published 26/09/22
    Dear parents and carers,   We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to Larkmead on Thursday 6th October, a great opportunity to share our students, staff and school with families who are looking ahead to the move to secondary school.
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  • Music lessons from Oxford County Music Service

    Published 20/09/22
    We offer tuition in: strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass woodwind: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone brass: trumpet, cornet, trombone, baritone, euphonium, horn (French and tenor), tuba percussion: d
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  • Open Evening 6/10/2022

    Published 08/09/22
    Dear pupils, parents and carers,   We look forward to welcoming visitors to our Open Evening on Thursday 6th October to see Larkmead in action. Summer saw smiles and celebrations from Year 11 and 13 students and parents, collecting examinatio
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