Thank you to everyone for your support with the closure of the College this afternoon. The weather came in very quickly after the buses left and the snow has become treacherous in the town and around the College site.   The weather forecast suggests that there is very little chance of any improvement by the morning.   The weather warning is back to yellow but the temperature is not due to rise to above zero until midmorning making the journey potentially hazardous for everyone coming into College on foot, by car or by bus.

Therefore, due to the heavy snow and the predicted freezing temperatures tomorrow morning, we have made the decision that Okehampton College will be closed on Friday 1 February 2019.

I am sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause, but I hope that by making the decision early we have given you enough time to make any arrangements you may need to for tomorrow.

Thank you for your continuing support.

As I’m sure you would expect, we have been monitoring the weather forecast very carefully overnight and throughout this morning. As you will be aware, the Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for ice and snow from 1pm this afternoon. Our hope was that the forecast would have improved as the morning proceeded. However, the forecast has further worsened with heavy snow being forecasted from 1pm today.
 
This weather warning has recently been upgraded to amber and the current advice from the Police and Met Office is to take journeys only if absolutely necessary. With the safety of the students in mind the bus and taxi companies will therefore be picking students up earlier than normal at 1.15pm this afternoon. This is to ensure students get home before the bad weather sets in.
 
With this in mind and in order to ensure that the students who walk to school are also able to get home before conditions become potentially dangerous we will be closing the College at 1.15pm this afternoon.
 
We are aware that this may be inconvenient for some people, so if you would like your child to stay in College until 3.20pm, we will ensure that rooms and staffing will be in place to look after them. Obviously they need to report to the designated rooms so if you are in contact them please reinforce this expectation. We will dismiss these students at the normal time.
 
Responding to the weather forecast is never an exact science but our experience last year was that the forecast was very accurate during periods of severe weather. Closing the College is not a decision we take lightly. However, given all the information available to us we feel that this is the most sensible course of action for us to take.
 
Thank you for your ongoing support.

Please be aware that bus Okehampton 5 which does the Chagford route currently is unable to get out of the yard.  They will be reviewing the conditions in an hour's time.  As soon as we have further information we will post on the website.

Taw and Torridge bus Okehampton 1 is running but is unable to get to Bratton Clovelly.

Please keep an eye on our Website, Facebook and Twitter for all uptodate information.

Bus Okehampton 24 will not be running this morning due to ice.
We will keep you notified of any other buses not running as soon as we get any information.

Update - Only buses Oke 2, Oke 16 and Oke 4 are running at the moment.  Oke 6 will be running from Whiddon Down into College.

All other buses are not running at the moment due to the snow and difficult driving conditions.

Due to the snow, the Okehampton Carmel 24 bus has been unable to leave the depot.

We will keep you updated on any further developments.

 
4 June 2018
 
Dear Parents /Carers
 
At Okehampton College we are always looking to explore ways to improve our College for students, parents and staff.  One area that we recognise can be improved is uniform. Therefore, we are taking this opportunity to remind students and their parents of the College expectations, to help plan for September and thereafter.
 
Such information will also be helpful for you when buying uniform for the next academic year, as all too often we face the uncomfortable conversations where incorrect choices have been made and additional purchases are necessary to comply with expectations. 
 
Uniform Expectations:

• Navy blue sweatshirt with logo
• Black formal pressed trousers or black skirt of reasonable length.  To clarify, tailored trousers are not jeans, not skinny style, not leggings, with no fashion zips or studs.
• Plain white shirt with collar
• 100% black shoes
• Plain white or black socks or plain black or tan tights
• Sensible waterproof outdoor coats are strongly recommended
• Tailored black shorts

 
Jewellery and hair

• A watch, plain silver/gold stud earrings – one in each ear.  No other jewellery is permitted in the interest of safety for all students.   All jewellery/piercings must be removed in PE for Health and Safety reasons (including new piercings).
• No extreme fashions are allowed.

 
Uniform can be purchased from the following suppliers where staff will advise you on the skirts and trousers that we recommend and that also comply with our uniform expectations.  These items can either be bought in store or online:
 
Thomas Moore - www.thomasmooretoymaster.com
 
Banner School Wear -  www.banner.co.uk
 
Trutex School Wear – www.trutex.com
 
Donalds – www.donaldsmenswear.co.uk
 
Similar tailored wear can be purchased from other suppliers and High Street shops.  If you are at all unsure if any items that you buy fit the criteria for our uniform we strongly advise that you keep receipts for these items or check first with the College.  Additionally, please contact admin@okehamptoncollege.devon.sch.uk if you have any questions.

As we move forward as a College we like to use feedback from students and parents on key issues, such as uniform, to help us raise standards.  More recently other schools nearby have gone through a process of uniform change, towards a more formal attire.  This in turn has prompted some of our students and parents, as well as members of the local community to enquire whether we will be considering such a move.   The College believes in having a uniform from Year 7 to 11 because of the importance of identity, community and by wearing their uniform, students are able to be proud of their College - creating a feeling of equality for all.
 
Therefore, we would really appreciate it if you and your child could complete our short survey to help us in exploring such a change. The students may also be given the opportunity to complete the survey while at the college. The surveys will be open from Monday 4th June to Monday 18th June.  
 
These surveys can be found on our College website in the parent information tab.  If you are unable to access the survey electronically then please ask your child to collect a copy of the questionnaire from the reception and return it to our curriculum support office.
 
Thank you for your support in ensuring that our students take pride in wearing a smart and correct college uniform, and also for your feedback.
 
Yours sincerely

Mrs N Offer
Assistant Principal
 
 
Students:
 
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=kG0HO7J4vUqeBcIPJiicRpuiGWHy8kBMjrK53UAQH7RUOE9RMjI4SldFUlhaS1JBU0M3NzAwS0g5Qy4u
 
Parents:
 
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=kG0HO7J4vUqeBcIPJiicRpuiGWHy8kBMjrK53UAQH7RUMkVCTkU1UDZMOFFYV0dBOEI3QVJPSTVHSy4u
​

Please find below links to information from The Samaritans -

Advice for Students.

Advice for Parents/Carers. 

Please note that requests for Absences for Medical or Dental Appointments can only be authorised by the school when the appointment card showing the date and time is given to the school. 

If the school cannot confirm the appointment, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Linda Page - Education Welfare Officer