OMS
Wolvercote Montessori Nursery Forest Farm Montessori Nursery Forest Farm Primary Forest Farm Seniors
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OMS
School Reimagined

February 2024 ISI School Inspection

We are delighted to inform our community and prospective parents that our recent inspection was a huge success for the school and a wonderful commendation for the teachers and support staff who make us who we are!

The report reflects the excellence of OMS and the superb nature of our care and work with pupils both within and beyond the classroom.  We are recognised to  have met - and in many cases exceed - all the standards and regulations of running a school and proved  to be compliant in all areas. But we go much further than this.  We were awarded a Significant Strength for the Nurture of our pupils. We are one of very few schools inspected under the new framework to have been described as exhibiting a Significant Strength. This is a hugely exciting validation of what we do here at OMS. The lead inspector acknowledged that it was the first significant strength that he had issued.

You may read the results here

OMS

“My son attended OMS Forest Farm Senior School for four years and it was a transformative experience. He went from a boy who hated school and mistrusted teachers after previous bad experiences, to wanting to go to school, achieving straight 9s at GCSE and making several long-lasting friendships. The location is idyllic but it is the staff that really make the difference. They think outside the box, recognise each child for their individual talents, and come up with creative and effective solutions to overcome potential barriers to learning. They work tirelessly to fulfil the academic potential of each and every child, and have the flexibility to ensure that this can be achieved at the most appropriate level due to the variety of qualifications that they offer. I thoroughly recommended the school which genuinely does deliver effectively on its motto of “education reimagined””
— Camilla Buckley

 

A few highlights & insights…

“We recommend you click the link below and then watch full screen in Vimeo, please remember to like the film (if you did:) ”
— OMS

Finding The Right fit…

“Our schools are ideally suited to sensitive young people who respond less well to the testing, pressured formal environment. Our pupils are bright, inquisitive, sometimes socially intuitive, often gifted or arriving to us with confidence damaged by other more formal settings. Many thrive with the freedom and respect we offer and the contribution they can make to our community in return”
— Judith Walker - Proprietor
“ In my view, all schools should be like OMS. Your ethos and aims are universal and right for young people in the 21st century”
— An inspector from the Independents Schools Association in Autumn 2019.

Adding real value that’s why WE don’t select by ability?

“Adding Real Value: Teaching an academically capable child isn’t overly challenging—they often teach themselves. While a great teacher can inspire them, the real challenge lies in captivating a diverse group of young minds with varying learning styles through a deep understanding of child development, effective communication skills, and a genuine passion for the subject ”

Reach for Equality

Our goal: to level the educational playing field. Every child possesses untapped potential, our duty is to uncover it. This potential is a valuable resource that must not be wasted. Discovering one's strengths early is like unlocking the keys to a happy, fulfilling life. Dreams becoming ambitions, and the skills developed in pursuit, shape the way we perceive and interact with the world.

We reject confining young minds to a narrow, competitive environment that sacrifices creativity for a limited set of observable, testable skills. Making this the sole determinant of life-altering decisions is both misguided and a waste of resources.

In a world where the future's demands are uncertain, we advocate for a broader, more inclusive approach. We do not select based on perceived ability but on the belief that each young person contributes positively to our community.

Our commitment to a low-stress approach in formal testing, especially before GCSE examinations, ensures students are assessed in comfortable environments, aligning with our dedication to their well-being and success

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Discover our learning journey…

A New Learning Journey from Nursery, Primary and on to Seniors in a school re-imagined that allows children to become life long and happy learners…

 
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Key Aims & Ethos

 
 

Three Key Aims

  1. OMS aims to promote the wellbeing of the whole child through comprehensive and individual pastoral and academic support for children who want a more individual approach.

  2. OMS aims to equip pupils with vital skills and learning that is appropriate now and valuable in the future, emphasising learning that nurtures creativity and a connection with nature.

  3. OMS aims to offer an environment and a curriculum that reflects the Montessori ethos of active, inquiry-based cross-curricular learning.

Our aim at OMS is to strive to ensure that all our children feel happy and safe. Everyone is valued, respected as an individual and encouraged to persevere, striving to achieve their full potential. All children receive an education that allows equality of opportunity and fosters a love of learning. We focus on removing any barriers which impede learning.

Students at OMS are actively encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and ensure that they use all resources and support available to them effectively to aid success. Students are also encouraged to contribute their views and make informed decisions about their education.

Parents have a critical role to play in their child's education. The school will work actively in partnership with parents to provide appropriate strategies to meet the student’s educational needs and encourage parents to play an active role in the student’s education.

 
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OMS - the creative experience…

LAMDA students perform brightly and shine with distinction

On a sunny day in March students from Forest Farm travelled to Chipping Norton School to take part in LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) exams, after months of preparation. LAMDA exams assess acting and performance skills as well as other technical skills such as diction, understanding a character's emotional journey and understanding different areas of a stage. Pupils are required to learn two contrasting monologues. Pieces chosen by pupils ranged hugely, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Michael Rosen’s poem Down Behind the Dustbin. Other speeches included a monologue about the Civil Rights Movement by Lisa Evans, a comic piece detailing every actor's nightmare of forgetting your lines from Opening Night and a nature poem about the intriguing lives of caterpillars.

Read more…

“On sabbatical from America we were keen to find a school that followed the kids interests and had a firm focus on creativity too. We could not believe our luck when we found OMS on the web. The school’s website shows so many aspects of the place, we hardly dared to expect it to live up to the reality. I can honestly say we were delighted. The school is well managed, deeply in touch with its ethos. Thank you to the management team and all the wonderful warm staff. Warmth! Jack”
— Jack Taylor

What is Montessori & Progressive education?

An inspiring look at our current education system with Sir Ken Robinson.

A good introduction to the key principles behind the Montessori method .

“One size fits nobody, and that’s why I want to tell you about the school I go to, Forest Farm, where individuals are allowed to be individuals”
— Megan - Forest Farm Seniors


Results / Exam centre…

The results our young people gain are all the more remarkable because they are achieved positively, without cramming. Students are not ‘steered’ towards or away from subjects in order to improve our overall results, they are instead free to choose their subjects based on their interests. Furthermore, the wide range in ability from year to year is a wonderful testament to the dedication of our students’ achievements.

OMS Approach / Essentials

  • Our pupils achieve great results, self motivated of their own volition

  • Students take the bulk of their exams in the May/June examination session, but some are also taken in November or January to spread out examinations rather than cramming everything into the final term at school.

  • Exam rooms are light, airy and comfortable, designed to put students at ease.

  • The approach is as informal as we can make it.

  • OMS is accredited by both the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).

Grades:

The grading system consists of numbers, rather than the typical lettering system. These new GCSE grades are from 9-1. With 9 being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

  • three number grades - 9, 8 and 7 - correspond to the two previous top grades of A* and A.

  • the bottom of grade 7 is aligned with the bottom of grade A

  • the bottom of grade 4 is aligned with the bottom of grade C

  • the bottom of grade 1 is aligned with the bottom of grade G

GCSE & CIE IGCSE & Functional Skills Results / 2024

Click on the colours to view results
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Accreditation & Partnership

 
 
 

The University of Oxford

OMS has a preferred partnership with the University of Oxford, this long existing arrangement has seen OMS provide many 100’s of places to university staff and mature students.

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Trinity Arts Award

Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents: it is creative, valuable and accessible.

Arts Award can be achieved at five levels, four qualifications and an introductory award.

 
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The Independent Schools Inspectorate

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the agency responsible for the inspection of schools whose Heads are members of one of ISC's member associations in England. ISI is a Government approved inspectorate and the quality of its service is monitored by Ofsted on behalf of the DfE.

 
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The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers. We have found the DofE is a great motivator and many children have completed the various levels with a great sense of satisfaction.

 
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The Independent Schools Association (ISA) is an organisation of independent schools in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1878, it is one of the country's oldest such groups. It is a constituent association of the Independent Schools Council, and has a membership of around 528 schools.

Projects… 

In 2008 we planted 4000 trees at Forest Farm. The children, teachers, parents - everyone was involved. We chose mixed planting, mostly hazel and sweet chestnut with fruiting edges. Today we have a forest - and endless resource for all. It provides wood for traditional fencing…

And fantastic play and learning opportunities for all our young people. It is part of our Forest School programme, and we are proud to be a Forest Schools Teacher Training Centre.

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We planted…

… 450 more trees. This time, broad-leaved, long-lived trees for carbon capture and wildlife. We planned to make this a colaborative project but covid 19 put paid to that. So Daniel, Judith and Gary planted them all:)

“After a couple of days at Forest Farm School, I began to act more like myself and the person I wanted to be”
— Jack - Forest Farm Seniors
“This is a little school that punches way above its weight”
— Ted - Forest Farm Seniors

School Democracy

One result of having a child-centered ethos is encouraging children to understand democratic principles so that their voice and opinions can lead to change. Our forums and meetings offer young people a platform in which they can raise and debate issues of importance to them.

OMS supports the school climate strikes and OMS students and families have been active supporters in the local events to date.

“We don’t understand why any school would not support children taking part in the school strikes. How can we expect young people to engage with politics if we don’t encourage and teach them to take part in legal democratic protests about issues they care about? Today’s lesson is DEMOCRACY”

The things they say…

“In January, senior students were asked to complete an assignment in persuasive writing. Here’s what they said about their school.. Click on each image to read...”

 

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“Before I came to this school, I hardly ever spoke and the teachers elsewhere practically expected that from the students and accepted it, but look at me now”
— Lucas - Forest Farm Seniors

Local / sustainable / Healthy

We are just 10 minutes from Oxford and all its facilities. We are surrounded by beautiful, protected countryside with the Otmoor Valley Nature Reserve lying just to the north. We encourage parents to bike to us, but it is not always practical, so then car transport is essential. We may be able to assist with arranging taxis to school, please speak to the school office.

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Miles of walks for orienteering and drinking in gallons of fresh air

Air Quality

Almost everyday there is more bad news about the threats of pollution to children’s development. Schools must do more to address the problem. We monitor our air and the instances of pm 2.5’s are reassuringly low.

 

We heat Forest Farm using two Solar Focus Chip Burning Boilers. In doing so we have managed to bring our carbon footprint down significantly. The boilers are built into the heart of the school as a constant reminder to us all that energy is finite.

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Wood Pellet Warmth

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come and discover school Re-IMAGINED…