Oxford Spires
Academy
Parent & Carers Fortnightly Update
What an exciting and action-packed time it’s been at Oxford Spires! Here’s a snapshot of the incredible experiences and achievements from across the school.
Students Meet the Lord Mayor of Oxford
Our students had a fantastic opportunity to interview the Lord Mayor of Oxford; Councillor Louise Upton, and they certainly rose to the occasion with thoughtful and insightful questions!
They explored what inspired her journey, what she enjoys most about the role, and how leadership can make a real difference. The Lord Mayor shared her inspiring story of growing up in a small town in Shropshire, following in her mother’s footsteps into local council work, and discovering the power of helping others through strong community leadership.
She spoke passionately about Cowley Road, celebrating its vibrant mix of cultures, businesses, and energy, truly one of Oxford’s most dynamic areas.
Her key message to students? “Focus on the small things, do something kind every day. Small actions can make a big difference.”
Geography in Action
Our geographers have been out exploring and applying their learning in real-world settings:
- Year 12 Residential to Slapton Ley (Devon): Students gathered valuable fieldwork data while developing essential A Level skills. Alongside classroom sessions, they enjoyed time on the beautiful Devon coastline, learning with a view!
- Year 10 Urban Fieldwork Trip: Students headed into central Oxford to collect both qualitative and quantitative data, strengthening key skills for their GCSE coursework. A brilliant hands-on learning experience!
FOSA Quiz & Curry Night – A Huge Success!
Thank you to everyone who attended this much-loved annual event. From delicious food and drinks to great company and competitive quiz rounds, it was a fantastic evening enjoyed by all!
Please note: The FOSA Model Car Event (10th May) has unfortunately been cancelled.
UCAS Parents Information Evening
We were delighted to host a well-attended UCAS Information Evening. Parents had the chance to meet representatives from universities including Oxford Brookes, Bath, Reading, and Manchester, alongside employers such as the NHS and BMW.
The evening covered:
- Supporting early applications (Oxbridge, Medicine, etc.)
- Exploring degree apprenticeships and alternative routes
- Practical advice for helping students take their next steps
Attendance Spotlight
Excellent school attendance is key to student success, supporting both academic achievement and wellbeing by ensuring students don’t miss vital learning and opportunities to build confidence and friendships. At Oxford Spires, we have worked hard this term to promote and improve attendance with initiatives such as our attendance challenges and rewards. We are proud of the progress students have made and appreciate the continued commitment from our community because every day in school truly makes a difference.
Students who made excellent improvements in attendance celebrated with a well-deserved pizza lunch and on 8th May a huge congratulations went to Tolkien House, winners of our Non-School Uniform Attendance Challenge who won a Non-Uniform Day.
Every attendance mark truly counts. Thank you for your continued effort and commitment!
Exam Season Begins
We wish all our Year 11 students the very best of luck as exams begin this week. The full exam timetable is available here:
Revision sessions will be running over the May half-term, more details coming soon!
Looking Ahead – Key Dates & Events
• 18 May: Strasbourg Trip Parent Meeting (5pm, OSA Theatre)
• 2 June: Year 9 Vaccinations
• 10 June: FOSA Meeting (Library) 6.30pm
• 15 June: Year 7-9 cycle assessments and Year 10 & 12 Mock Exams begin
• 19 June: Year 13 Leavers Assembly & Prom
• 24 June: Rising Year 7 Transition Day & Parents Evening / Year 11 Prom
• 29 June – 3 July: Super Teaching Week
• 4–5 July: DofE Practice Expedition
• 5–10 July: Strasbourg Trip
• 9 July: OSA Careers Fair
• 13–15 July: Thorpe Park Trips (Years 8, 9 & 7) and Enrichment Week
• 15 July: La Traviata Performance at Garsington Opera
• 17 July: End of Term (12:30pm finish)
End-of-Year Enrichment Week:
A fantastic week of activities is planned to celebrate students’ hard work and achievements during the last week of the school term. This is truly something that everyone looks forward to. (More details to follow).
Thank you for your continued support. It’s been a truly inspiring start to the term, and we’re excited for everything still to come!