Open Doors Evening – A New Student Council Initiative

We are delighted to invite you to the Open Doors Evening, hosted by OSA Student Council. On the 28th of January, 16:30-18:00, join us for a fun filled evening of board games and trivia designed to strengthen the Spires community.

Students are encouraged to bring family members of all ages for an enjoyable and inclusive event.

This initiative will run monthly on the last Wednesday of each month, with a different activity each time, so keep an eye out for future events! Attendance also contributes to a student's Honours.

 

Homework reminders!

Sparx Science and Maths is due every week on Sunday. Students that miss this deadline are then given an extended deadline to the following Thursday.

If students attend a break time intervention in Bi4 on Wednesday or Thursday they will not receive a SLT detention, even if they do not fully complete the homework. It is really important to ensure that students get into good routines and habits of completing consolidation in their homework tasks.

Upcoming International Trips

We are looking forward to the upcoming international trips to Thailand, Andalusia, Vietnam, and the recently announced trip to Munich in November 2026. These experiences offer incredible cultural and educational opportunities for our students, and we cannot wait to see them thrive during these adventures.

Student Safeguarding Update

At Oxford Spires Academy, we are committed to fostering a safe, caring, and supportive environment for every student. As part of this commitment, we are continuing to promote positive and respectful use of language, particularly around topics linked to wellbeing and mental health. We respond to observations and patterns in our data and wanted to make you aware that we have noticed an increase in the use of language being used in relation to self-harm that has the potential to cause distress.

In assemblies next week, our Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Headteacher will speak with students about the growing use of phrases related to self-harm—for example, statements such as “I want to kill myself” being used casually, in frustration, or as a joke. Although students may not intend harm, this type of language can be distressing to others and is always taken seriously, as the wellbeing of our students remains our highest priority.

During the assembly, students will be reminded:

• why this language can be harmful and cause concern,
• how staff will respond if it is used, and
• positive and appropriate ways to express strong feelings or emotions.

We will also emphasise that if a young person is genuinely struggling, it is important they share this with a trusted adult or access support through school. Reducing casual or joking use of self-harm language helps us ensure that every student who needs help receives it quickly and appropriately, and that our school remains a safe and supportive community.

Please be aware that whenever self-harm language is used—regardless of intent—we will contact home. If we have concerns about a student’s wellbeing, they will be spoken with by a member of the safeguarding team to ensure they are safe. Repeated use of this language will result in a meeting with parents or carers, and in some cases, we may ask that a student is collected from school so that we can put the right support in place.

Thank you for your cooperation and for continuing to support our shared expectations at home. We encourage you to speak with your child about why this type of language matters. By working together, we can help maintain a school community that is safe, respectful, and supportive for all young people.

Route to Success Twilight Session

On Tuesday 20^th January 6.00pm we will be providing a 60 minute ‘twilight session’ for Parents and Carers of Year 11 students with Sander De Groot.

This session will also introduce you to modern revision techniques and how to create an effective studying environment at home.

We look forward to seeing Year 11 parents and carers on Tuesday 20^th January at 6.00pm in the school theatre.

Sander will be working with Year 9, Year 11, and Sixth Form students during the day on Tuesday 20^th January supporting them with workshops on making options choices, building good habits, and preparing for the future.

Smartphone Research Study – Update

Oxford Spires Academy is taking part in a Department for Education research study led by Professor Ben Carter from King’s College London. The study explores the role of smartphones in schools and the impact of our policy on students’ educational, behavioural, and well-being outcomes.

Thank you to all parents who have given consent for their children to take part, as well as to our 6th Form students who have agreed to join the study. Parents and 6th Form students have already been given the opportunity to withdraw from participation if they wished to do so.

Details about how students will take part in the survey will be shared next week via the Student Portal and Student Bromcom. Students will access the questionnaire using their school email addresses. For any students whose parents have opted them out, their email access will be automatically restricted so they will be unable to join the survey.