Parents/Carers
Please see helpful information from the school office below. If you are unable to find the information you require, please do not hesitate to contact the school office on admin@oaklands.herts.sch.uk.
Arbor Parent Portal/App
You will have been sent the Parent and Carer Guide to Arbor, which provides information on how to log in to the Arbor Parent Portal/App. This is where you must enter all the key information that we need for your child at Oaklands. You can also access the guide in the link below: -
Parent and Carer Guide to Arbor
It is vital that you complete all the required sections, particularly emergency contact details and medical information. This guide also explains how to book wraparound care and pay for trips, among other things.
If you need any assistance, please contact the school office.
Attendance
The school gates are open from 8.40am until 8.50am. If you arrive after 8.50am please come to the school office to sign your child in. The school day ends at 3.15pm.
If you arrive at school after the gates have closed at the start of the school day, you must bring your child in to the school office and sign them in on the system, giving a reason as to why they are late – we get regular visits from the Herts County Council attendance team and this is what they check on.
Please try to make doctor and dentist appointments outside of school hours when possible. With regard to term-time holidays, we are not usually able to authorise this unless it is in exceptional circumstances. A request for a leave of absence form must be completed, which is available on the school website or via the school office.
We have a 48-hour policy for vomiting and diarrhoea. Your child must stay at home for 48 hours after the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea.
If your child is off school for any reason, you should enter their absence on the Arbor Parents Portal/App on a daily basis.
If you are unsure whether to keep your child off school, the leaflet in the link below from the UK Health Security Agency might be of use.
Extra-Curricular Clubs
Medical Conditions
Parents must provide any essential medication (e.g. inhalers or EpiPens) to the school office at the start of term and complete the required paperwork; two EpiPens are required if applicable. All medication is stored by the school and cannot be kept in children’s bags.
If medication needs to be given during school hours, it must be pre-measured, sealed, and accompanied by a completed form, with parents calling the office at the dosage time.
The school uses the Medical Tracker system to notify parents of medication, accidents, or injuries, and will phone directly in the case of a serious incident.
PE Days
PE days Summer Term
Please see below the PE days for each class for the summer term. Your child will need to come to school dressed in their PE kits on these days.
Maple - Monday
Reception - Thursday
Year 1 - Monday and Friday
Year 2 - Tuesday and Friday
Year 3 - Monday and Wednesday
Year 4 - Tuesday and Friday
Year 5 - Monday and Wednesday
Year 6 - Thursday and Friday
If your child's PE day falls on a day when they will not be wearing uniform, e.g. non-uniform days, World Book Day, Number Day etc., they do not need to wear or bring their PE kit to school. They will take part in PE in the clothes they wear on the day, if it takes place.
However, if you feel your child's outfit would restrict them from participating in PE due to it restricting movement, feel free to pack a pair of joggers/shorts and a t-shirt for them to change into.
PTA
Oaklands PTA – Supporting Our School Together
Welcome to the Oaklands PTA!
Oaklands PTA is a welcoming group of parents and carers who work in partnership with the school to help make the Oaklands experience even more enriching for all our children. Through fundraising, events and volunteering, we help provide those extra touches that support learning, spark creativity and bring joy to school life.
Thinking of joining Oaklands?
If you're a prospective parent exploring Oaklands for your child, the PTA is a big part of our school’s vibrant community. Come along to one of our events or reach out to learn more, we’d love to meet you!
Who we are
If your child attends Oaklands, you’re already part of the PTA - no sign-up required. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of volunteers helps coordinate events, fundraising, and sends out communications.
Meet the Committee:
Chair - Kathryn Lane (Reception & Year 2)
Secretary – Hannah Soutar (Year 1 & Year 3)
Treasurer – Veronika Sapriko (Reception & Year 4)
Community Champions – Emma Lutkin & Alexis Bond (Year 1)
Grant Coordination – Gina Wallace (Reception & Year 1)
Marketing – Chelsea Locke (Year 1 & Year 6)
Social Media & Preloved Uniform – Hollie Cooke (Year 1 & Year 3)
Teacher Representative – Stephanie Morgan (Deputy Headteacher)
We also have Class Reps who help share updates, encourage involvement, and keep things running smoothly across year groups. You’ll hear from them via WhatsApp.
Reception – Gina Wallace
Year 1 – Alexis Bond
Year 2 -Kathryn Lane
Year 3 – Hannah Soutar
Year 4 – Sarah Mosey
Year 5 – Laura Whinnett
Year 6 – Chelsea Locke
What we do
The PTA organises fun events and raises funds to support the school and enrich our children’s experience. Some of our recent highlights include:
🎃 Halloween Disco
🎄 Christmas Fair
🎁 Advent Raffle
🐣 Easter Egg Hunt
👕 Nearly New Uniform & Costume Sales
☀️ Summer Fete
🌈 Be Yourself Day
What we've helped fund
Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve been able to provide some fantastic extras, including:
💻 Chromebook Flips to support learning
🌲 A forest school gazebo and firepit
🧗♂️ Trim trail for the bottom playground
🚌 Coaches for school trips to reduce costs for families
🎭 Theatre workshops focused on wellbeing and mindfulness
📚 A fresh collection of new library books
Current goal
We’re now fundraising for “Playtime Paradise” - an exciting new outdoor adventure space for all children to enjoy!
How you can get involved
We’d love your help, and it doesn’t have to be a big commitment! Whether you’ve got creative ideas, a few spare minutes, or just want to meet other parents, there’s a way to join in:
- Volunteer at an event
- Donate money, items or your skills
- Come along to a meeting and share your ideas
- Help with planning, publicity, or behind-the-scenes support
Let’s chat!
Want to get involved or just learn more?
📧 Email us at oaklandsprimarypta@gmail.com
School Dinner Menu
Follow the link below to access the Summer Term menu:
School meals must be pre-booked (and pre-paid where applicable) via the School Gateway system. Parents need to register using their email address and mobile number held by the school. Although Reception and KS1 pupils receive free meals under the Universal Free School Meals scheme, meals still must be pre-ordered. Orders can be made in advance, and must be cancelled if no longer required to avoid charges.
The school operates a 3-week rolling menu with a range of options. If you have issues accessing School Gateway, contact the school office for support or to submit choices.
Families eligible for Income Related Free School Meals are encouraged to apply, as this provides additional benefits such as discounts and free milk.
For any dietary requirements, allergies, or preferences, parents must complete a form with Herts Catering before their child starts, as meals cannot be provided until this is done.
School Milk
School Milk is available to be ordered directly from Dairylink. Please contact Dairylink on www.dairylink-uk.com and pre-book and pre-pay direct. If you qualify for income-related FSM, you can have free school milk. If your child is under 5, they can receive free school milk, but charges will start from the Monday of the week when they are 5.
School Uniform
School uniform can be purchased from Smartys (in-store or online) or MyClothing. Plain white polo shirts and sky-blue PE T-shirts without logos are also acceptable.
The school promotes sustainability through a PTA-run preloved uniform swap and sale scheme. Children may wear dark trainers instead of school shoes, and all must have wellies in school, supported by a welly swap scheme. Younger children are also recommended to have a rainsuit.
Lost property is stored outside the school office and unclaimed items are donated to the preloved uniform team at the end of each term.
Term Dates
Hertfordshire Term Dates
Hertfordshire County Council set the term dates for the year and the school can then select 5 additional dates for staff training and 1 occasional day. Oaklands Primary School also closes when the school is needed as a Polling station. Please note INSET and Occasional days are subject to change.
| Academic Year 2025 / 2026 | |
| Spring Term 2026 | |
| Inset Day | 5th January 2026 |
| Children return to school | 6th January 2026 |
| Half Term | 16th–20th February 2026 |
| Children return to school | 23rd February 2026 |
| End of Term 2:00pm finish (no After-School Club) | 27th March 2026 |
| Summer Term 2026 | |
| Children return to school | 13th April 2026 |
| Bank Holiday | 4th May 2026 |
| Polling Day | 7th May 2026 |
| Half Term | 25th–29th May 2026 |
| Children return to school | 1st June 2026 |
| End of Term for children 2:00pm finish (no After-School Club) | 21st July 2026 |
| Inset Day | 22nd July 2026 |
| Occasional Day | 23rd July 2026 |
| Academic Year 2026 / 2027 | |
| Autumn Term 2026 | |
| Inset Day | 1st September 2026 |
| Children return to school | 2nd September 2026 |
| Half Term | 26th -30th October 2026 |
| Children return to school | 2nd November 2026 |
| End of term 2:00pm finish (no After-School Club) | 18th December 2026 |
| Spring Term 2027 | |
| Inset Day | 4th January 2027 |
| Children return to school | 5th January 2027 |
| Half Term | 15th - 19th February 2027 |
| Children return to school | 22nd February 2027 |
| End of term 2:00pm finish (no After-School Club) | 25th March 2027 |
| Summer Term 2027 | |
| Inset Day | 12th April 2027 |
| Children return to school | 13th April 2027 |
| Bank Holiday | 3rd May 2027 |
| Polling Day | 6th May 2027 |
| Half Term | 31st May-4th June 2027 |
| End of term for children 2:00pm finish (no After-School Club) | 20th July 2027 |
| Inset Day | 21st July 2027 |
| Occasional Day | 22nd July 2027 |
Wraparound Care
Wraparound Care
Our Breakfast Club and After School Club operate on a pre-book and pre-pay system via the Arbor Parent Portal/App. Sessions must be booked and paid for in advance. If you have pre-booked a session and subsequently no longer need it, you must email the school office; otherwise, you will still be charged.
If you pay using childcare vouchers or the Government Tax-Free Childcare scheme, please contact the school office so that your account can be set up. Information on how to book sessions can be found in your Parent and Carer Guide to Arbor booklet.
Breakfast Club starts at 7:45am and costs £4.50 per session, which includes toast or cereal. Sessions must be booked by 8:00pm the day before. If you need to change or cancel your session, please contact the school office.
After School Club sessions must be booked by 12:00 noon on the day of the session required. If you need to change or cancel a session, please contact the school office.
There are three After School Club sessions available to book:
- 3:15pm – 4:30pm: £7.50
- 3:15pm – 6:00pm: £13.00 (includes fruit snack and a light tea)
- 4:15pm – 6:00pm: £8.50 (includes fruit snack and a light tea)
After 3.30pm, please use the ASC mobile for any emergency such as late pick up or a different person collecting your child.
ASC Mobile 07585 462633