Staff, pupils and parents at a local primary academy in Sheffield are celebrating today as they become the second school in the area to be awarded as being a ‘School of Sanctuary’.

Oasis Academy Fir Vale in Sheffield is the second ever school in Sheffield after Oasis Academy Watermead to be named as a ‘School of Sanctuary’ by the nationwide City of Sanctuary movement.

A School of Sanctuary is a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all, especially those seeking sanctuary. This could be people whose lives were in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are just looking for a space of safety.

Helen Round, Principal of Oasis Academy Fir Vale, commented on the award saying; “We are very pleased to win the award. We have worked really hard on developing an effective induction package for our children and families so everyone feels welcome in our school.”

With families in attendance today, the Co-Chair of City of Sanctuary in Sheffield Craig Barnett presented the certificate to pupils, with the award being presented to Principal, Helen Round and Parent Partnership Lead, Agnieszka Freeman. After the presentation all pupils and staff took part in a mass carol assembly.

Agnieszka Freeman, Parent Partnership Lead at Oasis Academy Fir Vale, added; “We are so grateful to everyone at Oasis Academy Fir Vale, the families and the community for helping us in achieving this award! We are very proud to become one of the first Schools of Sanctuary in Sheffield - award that recognises our inclusive and welcoming ethos.”

To gain the ‘School of Sanctuary’ status you must visibly demonstrate that you provide an inclusive space for children while also establishing an environment that celebrates cultural diversity, and Oasis Academy Fir Vale have done just that.

The academy supports its pupils, staff and the wider community to understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and to extend a welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of the school community.

The Department for Education has published Primary school leagues tables, and one school in Sheffield has excelled as one of the best performing in the area.

Oasis Academy Fir Vale in Sheffield has received some very positive news as their progress scores show they are either ‘national average’ or ‘well above’ average in reading, writing, and maths.

Oasis Academy Fir Vale is also one of the best schools in the country for writing, they are in the top 0.2 percentile. The academy is regularly externally moderated on the work pupils produce by Sheffield Local Authority to check for accuracy of teacher assessment.

Adam Dawson, Deputy Principal at Oasis Academy Fir Vale, commented on the performance saying; “These progress scores are a credit to the team at Oasis Academy Fir Vale, I am so very proud.”

Oasis Academy Fir Vale is part of the Oasis Community Learning (OCL) multi-academy trust (MAT), and as a MAT, OCL is in the top 25% for reading, and top third for writing and mathematics with some amazing progress scores;

·         Reading: +0.9 – Well Above National Average

·         Writing: +1.9 – Well Above National Average

·         Maths: +1.7 – Well Above National Average

OCL has 31 primary academies across four regions in England serving 11,000 pupils aged 3-11.

Ends

Oasis Academy Fir Vale is an inclusive primary school in the Fir Vale area of Sheffield, for children aged between 3 and 11 committing to delivering first class-education and playing an active role in the local community.

Oasis was founded in 1985 and exists to help people lead full lives through strengthening communities. Currently working in 10 countries across the world, Oasis is involved in projects as diverse as helping people trapped in poverty in India to pioneering education in the UK. Through its educational trust, Oasis Community Learning, Oasis is one of the largest providers of academies in the UK, responsible for 51 primary and secondary academies across the country.

Two days before Armistice Day and the centenary of the end of First World War, young pupils from Oasis Academy Fir Vale took part in a number of activities.