In June 2023 we were asked by the Education Authority to manage a new satellite site in Saintfield. This ‘extension’ to Oakwood will be in the former St Mary’s Primary School and will provide education for pupils primarily in the Dundonald Office education area, although we will also have a small number of pupils travelling from Belfast.
We have worked with the EA throughout the summer to confirm our new pupil intake. We will initially have 3 classes, Nursery and Year 1 pupils.
Building work began on site in July and we hope phase 1 will be complete at the end of October 2023. This initial phase includes refurbishing the 3 classrooms, bathrooms, staff room and offices as well as building quiet rooms, a soft playroom and a sensory room. The playground will be resurfaced to provide a safe and secure outdoor space. If all goes to plan, we can open our doors to pupils early in November.
We are in the process of recruiting staff – teachers, classroom and general assistants, a secretary, cleaners and a caretaker.
This is an exciting time at Oakwood and a wonderful opportunity to introduce more children to the Oakwood family. Our new site will be an extension of Oakwood School and Assessment Centre and will embrace our ethos and our curriculum.
