Oakleigh School and the Acorn Assessment Centre caters for nursery and primary aged children (2-11years), across the London Borough of Barnet, with severe and complex learning difficulties.

The population of Oakleigh School and Acorn caters for children who have a wide range of Special Educational Needs/Disabilities (SEND) including children with specific medical conditions, physical disabilities, social and communication difficulties, sensory impairments, autism spectrum conditions and/or other learning difficulties. All children that attend Oakleigh School have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and require an adapted curriculum and high staffing ratio, to support their learning needs.

Oakleigh School and Acorn have continued to expand and we now have two satellite provisions (one based at Queenswell Primary School and one based at Colindale Primary school), as well as our main site on Oakleigh Road North, N20. Although our nursery and school have continued to expand, the number of specialist minibuses that we have, has not expanded with us!

Presently, we only have 2 adapted minibuses across the whole organisation, to cater for children that are split across three different sites. One of our minibuses is 24 years old and does not meet the ULEZ requirements, so we cannot continue to use it beyond the exemption period, so we will then only have one minibus.

We are campaigning to fundraise £120,000 within a year, to purchase a minimum of two wheelchair adapted minibuses. This would provide our children with greater access and increased opportunities within the community which is a vital part of their education and development.

We would be extremely grateful if you are able to support us, in any way that you can. If you would like any further information, please contact Emily via the school office or email.

Kind regards

Emily Wharton

Deputy Headteacher

Oakleigh School

School office: 0208 368 5336

Email: emily.wharton@oakleigh.barnet.sch.uk

This is one of our minibuses, that is 24 years old and does not meet ULEZ requirements, so must be replaced: