Welcome to our brand-new outdoor gym for KS2 children—what an exciting and valuable addition to our school environment! This fantastic space will provide pupils with even more opportunities to stay active, build strength, and enjoy physical activity in a fun and engaging way.

A huge congratulations goes to our School Council and Sports Leaders, who worked incredibly hard at the end of last year to develop and present a detailed and well- thought-out business plan to the Governing Board. Their dedication, teamwork, and enthusiasm really shone through in their proposal. It was clear how much effort they had put into researching, planning, and thinking about how this gym would benefit the whole school community. In fact, their presentation was so impressive that the Governing Board simply couldn’t say no!

The finished outdoor gym looks absolutely fantastic, and it is something we can all be proud of. It stands as a brilliant example of what can be achieved when pupils are given a voice and the opportunity to lead real change within the school.

All of our Sports Leaders have now successfully completed their training, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to support others in using the equipment safely and effectively. After the Easter break, we will revisit this training to ensure that expectations remain clear and that all children understand how to use the gym responsibly.

Safety is our top priority, so it is essential that everyone follows the rules and listens carefully to guidance from staff and Sports Leaders. By doing this, we can make sure that the outdoor gym remains a safe, enjoyable, and inclusive space for everyone.

We look forward to seeing our KS2 pupils making the most of this wonderful new facility—having fun, keeping active, and developing healthy habits that will last a lifetime!

Please remember, all of the outdoor equipment, including the Adventure Playground, are not to be used by anyone, before or after school. Thank you for your continued support.

Our School Councillors have put their School Improvement Plan together today! They are delighted with our new playground & have requested new tables for the dining room, redesign for the Mary Garden & a swimming pool 🤣🤣 They have planned a film night for the whole school, a pyjamas day & a disco for Christmas! 🙏💕🙏 

School Councillors are evaluating their School Development Plan and talking with school leaders, including Governors, about the changes they want to make in school! #pupilvoice 💕💕

Given the opportunity, at OLSK, we believe, that children and young people can have a profound impact on their schools and their communities. It’s important for students to experience leadership opportunities during their schooling, to learn the art of building relationships within teams, defining identities and achieving tasks effectively. It also provides an opportunity to learn to identify and display effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Involvement in leadership activities can improve students’ and pupils’ learning as well as helping them to develop the skills and traits needed for success outside of the classroom.  To live fulfilled and contributing lives in our society, children and young people need to be able to help themselves and others, to achieve their goals and live a productive civic life.

They need both SKILLS and the WILL to make a positive difference.

Developing leadership skills in the service of others (social action) provides a powerful model for personal and social development, for raising aspirations and building confidence, for developing civic engagement and for developing employability skills. At the same time it can also be a way of re- engaging pupils with learning, with school and for developing a sense of wellbeing; all of which are especially important after lockdown. Student leadership, just like any other type of leadership, doesn’t end during a crisis, but is more important during it. 
 

“Student leaders can find their voice to help create a sense of hope, positivity, and inspiration for others.”

• Leadership can begin at a young age. We can help children develop their leadership qualities by providing opportunities for them to do so.

• Leadership starts with self-leadership. So ALL children are leaders, who begin with learning to lead themselves, and their learning, at school.

• Leadership opportunities should be genuine

• Leadership builds character, social & emotional capacities

• Leadership opportunities unlock creativity & innovation

Our School Council consists of two representatives from Years R to Y6.

They meet with Mrs Finnegan to discuss issues that affect them in school and share ideas about health, safety and things they would like to change or improve in our school. The Chairperson and secretary are elected members of Year 6.

They are involved in decision making in school. It is our school and we take responsibility for making sure that every child is heard.

At the start of the new school year, the School council members met with Mrs F to review their School Improvement Plan for last year and plan for this academic year. The Councillors spoke with their class peers, inviting ideas for school improvement. they will now put together their own School Improvement Plan