Principal's Update

Friday 27 March

Dear Parents and Carers, As we approach the end of term, I want to thank you for the support you have shown our students and staff over recent weeks. This has been a very successful term for Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill. We continue to build a school community where students are proud, kind and determined, and where our ambition is simple: to help every child become the best version of themselves.

Celebrating Year 11 – strong mock progress, and the next steps

First and foremost, I want to congratulate our Year 11 students on the excellent progress they have made in their recent mock examinations. Their effort, resilience and growing confidence have been clear to see, and they deserve real credit for the way they have approached this key stage of their GCSE journey. At the same time, we all know that there is much more work to do. The mocks are an important milestone, but they are not the finish line. The next phase: consistent attendance, focused revision, high-quality homework, and strong routines at home will make the difference between "good" and the great outcomes our students can achieve.

Attendance matters – everyday counts

One of the clearest messages we can share as a school is this: attendance is closely linked to attainment. When students attend every day, they access the full curriculum, build knowledge over time, and develop the habits they need for success. Our academy’s own attendance guidance emphasises that attendance is “at the heart of our academy” and is “closely linked with attainment.” That is why I want to be explicit about expectations as we move into next term: attendance every day is crucial, especially for examination year groups and those preparing for important assessments.

• Years 7 and 8: attendance is stronger than in other year groups. Thank you for helping your children build positive routines early.
• Years 9 and 10: attendance is a cause for concern. We need your support to ensure students are in school every day, on time, and ready to learn. These years matter: the learning that happens now is foundational for GCSE success.

If your child is struggling with attendance for any reason, please do not wait. Our Attendance Team is here to help, and we will always work with families to overcome barriers. Our published attendance information sets out how to report absence and how we support families, including contacting home when students are absent and offering guidance and early help where needed. Key attendance contacts (as published by the academy):

• Call the academy on 023 8039 3660 (Option 1) before 8.30am to report absence
• Email: attendance@oasislordshill.org

A school that is improving – and a community moving forward together

This term, we have continued to strengthen the culture and consistency that our students deserve. Our work to improve is not just internal, it has been recognised externally too. Local reporting on Ofsted monitoring described the school as having made significant improvements, noting a more stable leadership structure and “calm classrooms where pupils are able to learn,” while also being clear that more work is still necessary.  This balanced message matters: we are proud of the progress we are making and we remain determined to go further, faster, and with consistency for every child.

Celebrating wider success and enrichment

It has also been a term full of moments that show what Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill students can achieve beyond the classroom. Our academy news highlights student achievements including winning three awards at Dance Live! 2026, and students’ voices being featured nationally in a discussion on AI and mental health on ITV Evening News.

These opportunities help students build confidence, ambition and character and they reflect the breadth of education we want for every young person in our care.

New Year 7 Parent Q&A Evening

On 11th March, we hosted a highly successful Prospective Parent Q&A Evening, with the library full of parents and children eager to learn more about life at our school. Families had the opportunity to ask questions, speak with staff and students, and gain a clear understanding of what we offer. The atmosphere was warm and engaging, and parents left feeling reassured and well‑informed, with many commenting on how valuable the session had been. We look forward to welcoming their children in September. Due to the success of the event, we are pleased to share that more sessions will be scheduled in the near future. If you haven’t already, please don’t forget to complete your admissions form and accept your offered place. Click on the link below for more information about the transition process.

How you can help next term

As we move into the new term, the support that parents and carers provide is absolutely vital. Three things make the biggest difference:

1. Attendance every day – especially for Years 9–11.
2. Strong routines – early bedtime, calm mornings, equipment ready.
3. Positive messages – help your child understand that school attendance and effort today shape future options tomorrow.

Thank you again for your partnership. When families and school work together, students thrive. I wish you a restful break, and I look forward to welcoming all students back ready for a strong start next term on Monday 13th April 2026.   Yours sincerely, Simon Firth Principal

Year 7 & 8

It’s been a fantastic term for both Year 7 and Year 8 at Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill. A real highlight was our whole cohort Year 7 trip to the Winchester Science Centre, where students explored the hands‑on exhibits, took part in the Blast Off workshop, and enjoyed an immersive visit to the planetarium. Their behaviour and enthusiasm were excellent throughout the day.

Across the term, we have continued to celebrate students achieving their 5-day attendance streaks, and we were especially proud of Year 8 for hitting a record target and earning themselves a well‑deserved non uniform day. In the classroom, both year groups have shown real commitment, with many students making impressive progress following the January Mid-Year exams. Looking ahead, plans are already underway for our end of year rewards trip to Paultons Park, which promises to be a brilliant celebration for those who consistently meet our expectations. As we approach the break, we wish all students and families a restful two weeks off. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the Summer Term, ready to finish the academic year on a real high.

Mr Harding

Year 9

  The Spring Term has been a fantastic one for Year 9, filled with energy, enthusiasm, and plenty of opportunities for our students to shine. Students across the year group took part in a wide range of activities both on and off-site and represented the school with maturity, curiosity, and a great sense of community. One of our biggest achievements this term is the incredible 4,803 positive points earned across the year group. Even more impressive is the significant reduction in negative points—over 2,900 fewer than last term! This demonstrates real growth in attitude, effort, and behaviour, and we couldn’t be prouder of the progress being made. A special congratulations goes to our Top Five Positive Point Earners this term:

• Phoebe B — 168 points
• David A — 149 points
• Zion M — 145 points
• Hamza H — 143 points
• Vitoria A — 141 points

Your dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed—well done! Unfortunately, we did see a dip in attendance from last term. I cannot stress enough how important it is to send your child into school every day, unless they are genuinely too unwell to attend. Good attendance helps build:

• Stronger learning habits and deeper understanding across subjects
• Improved social and emotional skills, including friendships and confidence
• Resilience and routine, preparing students for future study and employment

If they are not in school, they are missing out on both learning and socialising, which are vital parts of their development. This term also marks the end of my time as Acting Head of Year 9. It has been a joy to support the year group; your children have certainly kept me on my toes, and I have loved watching them grow in confidence and character. Although I will still be the ALT link to the year group, I am pleased to announce that we now have a permanent Head of Year, who will be joining us when we return after the break. I leave you with a welcome message from our new HOY, Mr. Mitchener, below. 

Mrs Smee

Hello Year 9!

My name is Mr Mitchener and I’m delighted to be joining Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill as the new Head of Year 9. I am an English teacher and have previously worked as Head of Year across Years 9, 10 and 11. I’m really looking forward to meeting the Year 9s and getting to know the wider school community. Year 9 is an important stage in a student's time at school and I’m excited to support them as they continue to develop both academically and personally. Outside of school, I’m a big Southampton FC supporter and a season ticket holder, so football often takes up a good part of my weekends!

Year 10 & 11

Year 10 - I want to congratulate you on the hard work, maturity, and positive attitude so many of you have shown. This year marks an important stage in your journey, and it has been great to see you developing not only academically but also in confidence and character. You’ve shown real commitment in lessons, taken on new challenges, and continued to grow in independence. These habits will serve you incredibly well as you move closer to your GCSE year. Please take pride in what you’ve achieved so far. The break ahead is a chance to rest, reset, and return ready for the final term of Year 10. Make the most of the time to recharge, spend time with family and friends, and come back prepared to finish the year strongly. Thank you for your effort this term. Keep aiming high, stay focused, and continue to show the best version of yourselves. Have a wonderful break and well done on everything you’ve accomplished.

Year 11 - As we reach the end of this term, I want to take a moment to celebrate the hard work, determination, and resilience you’ve shown, especially in your recent mock exams. Your results reflect the effort you’ve put in so far, and many of you should feel proud of the progress you’ve made. These mocks are more than just grades; they are a clear indicator of your potential and a guide for what to focus on next. Now is the time to respond positively to what the mocks have shown you. Whether your results were reassuring or a reminder that there’s still work to do, the important thing is how you move forward. Use your successes as motivation and your gaps as direction. Small, consistent steps from here will make a huge difference. As we enter your final term at Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill, every lesson, every revision session, and every intervention opportunity will count. Make the most of the support around you, attend revision sessions, ask questions, revisit topics, and stay committed to your goals. You’re not doing this alone; your teachers and support team are here to help you every step of the way. Ahead of you are your GCSE exams and, of course, the celebrations that follow. Prom is around the corner, and you deserve to arrive there knowing you gave your absolute best. Keep believing in yourselves. Keep pushing. Keep growing. This is your moment, and we’re all behind you. Well done on finishing the term so strongly, and let’s make the final one your best yet.

Mr Burton

Year 11 Exams

  Following on from the successful November mocks, Year 11 have been working through their Spring mocks this term. Spanning three weeks in February, the Year 11 students demonstrated excellent behaviour, focus, and commitment throughout all of their exams. This has provided fantastic preparation for the summer GCSE exams, which are now only a matter of weeks away, starting with French Speaking on 15th April and then Art and 3D on 30th April and 1st May. Please see below the full summer GCSE exam timetable.

We would like to encourage all Year 11 students to keep up the hard work by continuing to attend all the intervention and tutoring sessions on offer. Your hard work really will pay off!

Mr Talbot Exams Officer

The Academy launched the Lord’s Hill Loots attendance rewards scheme this term and we are delighted by the engagement from our students. Remember, the more Loots you earn and save, the bigger the prizes!

Anybody who has moved up an attendance band has also earned a Golden Ticket, meaning they’re in with a chance of winning a new games controller in the end of term prize draw! A huge well done to the tutor group with the highest attendance this term: 11LH4 – 96.7% Congratulations also to 7LH2 (94.3%) and 7LH1 (93.9%), keep up the good work.

This term we have had 102 students move up an Attendance band! We’re really impressed by your commitment to improving your attendance and achieving even greater outcomes as a result. Well done!

This half term has been another successful one with regards to our rewards programme. Our FAB 4 initiative continues to thrive, with thousands of FAB ticket being awarded by staff over the last 5 weeks. The main prizes in our end of term prize draw included a £75 Amazon voucher, 3 x jump the food queue passes for a whole half term for the winners and a friend, and a Domino’s pizza party with FIFA on the PS5 with the lucky winner and up to five friends. In addition to this, there were over 30 runners-up prizes that included Footballs, Basketballs, Spray sets and big packs of sweets!!!   Our end of term Rewards Assemblies saw hundreds of students being recognised for their commitment to being Kind, Proud and Determined as well as attendance awards. The Top 40 students that have achieved the highest number of FAB 4’s over the year will be rewarded with a 1-hour session in our pop-up Games Room in the Sports Hall at the start of the summer term, which includes access to the following activities:   -FIFA/PS5 -MARIO Kart/Switch -4 x Pool Tables -2 x Air Hocket Tables -Darts -Giant Jenga -Board Games -Giant Tetris

Mr Parker

Dance Live!

On Tuesday 10th February, twenty students from Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill travelled to Portsmouth Guildhall to compete in Dance Live! 2026. Our students performed a powerful piece titled “Mind the Gap”, exploring the growing number of young people experiencing poverty across the UK, while celebrating the incredible resilience of those who face adversity with courage and determination. As this was our first time participating in the event, we were incredibly proud, though not surprised, by the outstanding conduct, teamwork, and professionalism shown by our Lord’s Hill students throughout the day. While we didn’t place in the competition, we were thrilled to walk away with three awards:

• Technical Award
• Concept Award
• People’s Choice Award

These achievements are a testament to the students’ creativity, dedication, and commitment to the project. We couldn’t be prouder of their hard work, and we’re delighted to share our full performance.

Dear England - Tuesday 13th January

Students in Year 10 and 11 recently visited The Mayflower Theatre to see the National Theatre’s touring production of Dear England — and what a performance it was! The show offered our students a brilliant insight into contemporary theatre-making, blending storytelling with movement, design, and striking multimedia elements. Many of our students, especially those with a passion for both sport and the arts, were captivated by how the production brought the world of football to life on stage. It was a fantastic example of how modern technology can elevate live performance, with dynamic projections, inventive staging, and bold lighting choices enhancing the emotional impact of the story. As always, we are incredibly grateful to The Mayflower Participation Team for supporting Lord's Hill and making all our Performing Arts trips possible. 

Legally Blonde - Tuesday 24th February

Probably our most eagerly awaited trip of the year was our visit to The Mayflower Theatre, where GCSE Drama and Dance students in Years 10 and 11 had the opportunity to see the brilliant production of Legally Blonde. For our GCSE Drama cohort, watching a live piece of theatre is an essential part of their exam preparation, so our Year 11 students were busy jotting down detailed notes throughout the performance to bring back into the classroom. In true theatrical fashion, students were even treated to an unexpected show stop right at the beginning when the lighting failed—an exciting reminder that the magic of theatre is not just what happens on stage, but also the unseen problem-solving that keeps a production running smoothly. The performance was full of energy, humour, and impressive choreography, providing plenty of inspiration for both our Drama and Dance students.  Overall, it was a fantastic trip that showcased the power of live theatre and reinforced why these real-world experiences are so valuable in Performing Arts education. We are incredibly proud of how engaged, reflective, and professional our students were throughout the day and again, we have to thank the Mayflower Participation Team for making these trip financially viable for our school. 

Red Shoes - Thursday 12th and Friday 13th March

Students from Years 7 to 11 enjoyed an exciting two-day dance enrichment experience, beginning with a trip to The Mayflower Theatre on Thursday 12th March, followed by an in-school workshop on Friday 13th March.  On Thursday, students attended a performance of Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes at The Mayflower Theatre: a visually striking and emotionally powerful production inspired by the classic film. The show offered our dancers a masterclass in storytelling through movement, characterisation, and bold design. After the performance, students took part in a Technical Taster Session, where they explored the wide range of careers within the theatre industry. From lighting and sound to stage management and set design, it was a fantastic opportunity for students to see just how many pathways exist behind the scenes. On Friday, facilitators from Matthew Bourne’s renowned company, New Adventures, visited the school to deliver a workshop based on material from the production. Students worked practically with professional practitioners, learning repertoire, developing performance skills, and gaining insight into the creative processes that bring a large-scale dance production to life. Across both days, students demonstrated exceptional focus, creativity, and enthusiasm- and we look forward to visiting working with The Mayflower Theatre again soon!

ManMade

After three successful workshops and additional rehearsals at school, 10 boys travelled to Mayflower Studios on Thursday 19th March to perform in ZoieLogic Dance Theatre's ManMade platform.    The boys performed their piece called 'STAND' - which celebrates the power and unity of standing up for what you believe in.   The boys were fantastic! We are so proud to have been able to attend the event for the second year in a row and continue to support ZoieLogic's mission to eradicate the stigma surrounding boys in dance. A special shoutout to Bailey in Year 8, who was invited on stage to introduce the piece and answer some questions about the impact of Dance on him and others in the Lord's Hill community.    We were so pleased to see more schools taking part this year, cementing this as an opportunity to change the perception of dance for boys on the South Coast. We want to thank the parents and carers who came to support the boys, and we look forward to seeing more of ZoieLogic's work in the future!

It has been an incredibly busy and rewarding term for our Community Champion here at OAL. We’ve moved straight into delivering interventions and mentoring, alongside a number of exciting events and opportunities for our students. In January, we took a group of Year 8 students to Level 1 to celebrate their achievements from Term 1. The day included mini golf, a quiz, and a full stadium tour, providing a fantastic opportunity to recognise their hard work and success. It was a wonderful day and a fitting reward for their efforts.

February was equally exciting, as we hosted our charity matchdays at St Mary’s Stadium. Our Women’s Matchday took place on 8th February, where Southampton FC Women faced Newcastle United. We were delighted to offer students and their families the chance to attend and enjoy the match together. Later in the month, on 21st February, we held our Men’s Matchday at St Mary’s. This provided an opportunity to showcase the incredible work of the Foundation while raising vital funds to support our ongoing programmes across the city. On both matchdays, a small group of students were invited to take part in shadowing roles, giving them valuable, hands-on experience of matchday operations around the stadium. Throughout the term, Josh has also been working with a group of Year 9 students on the “Premier League Inspires Challenge.” This annual programme encourages students to design and deliver a social action project based on a chosen theme. This year, the focus was on improving mental health among young people.

Over six weeks, the group planned and developed their idea: an after-school club inspired by a youth club environment, where students can relax, socialise with friends, and try new activities. Each participating school was then invited to pitch their project at the stadium to a panel, competing for additional funding. We are thrilled to share that our students were selected as winners on pitch day, securing extra funding to bring their project to life. As a result, they have also earned the opportunity to represent Southampton FC at the national event, which will take place at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool this April.

Oasis Academy Lord's Hill is a part of the Oasis Lord's Hill Hub, which also includes Oasis Southampton City Farm. The farm is a much-loved visitor attraction, educational site, hidden Oasis, and award-winning charity situated on a beautiful 5-acre site in the middle of Maybush, Southampton. We aim to transform our community through a variety of inclusive, accessible, and wellbeing-boosting activities that include youth programmes, community programmes, and therapeutic education programmes. The farm offers a range of youth and community opportunities for students and their families. Our new Youth Worker, Esther, works across both of these sites with young people from Oasis Academy Lord's Hill. We’ve had a wonderful start to spring on the farm despite the weather. It has been fantastic to see even more young people from the local community utilising and enjoying the farm. We have loved welcoming all of our Oasis groups from Lord’s Hill, Mayfield, and Sholing back onto the farm, and everyone has been working incredibly hard helping to care for the animals. The team has also been delighted by the recognition we’ve received already in 2026, with over eight nominations for animal and community related awards. These include nominations ranging from Disability Champions at the Scope Awards to Rescue Organisation of the Year at the Animal Star Awards. We are very grateful for the nominations and the recognition of the work happening on the farm. We were also thrilled to win a Mental Health Star award for the mental wellbeing–boosting activities we run for young people. If you would like to get involved, we have lots of activities and events coming up at the farm, including holiday clubs and free afternoon activities throughout Easter, as well as our big Spring Open Day at the start of May. For more information on what’s coming up, please visit our website. The Hub has recently hosted a successful Half Term Fun Day with the Oasis Lord's Hill Hub in collaboration with Youth Options. This event was organized by a fantastic group of Oasis Academy Lord's Hill students with the goal of supporting community wellbeing.

Coming up:

Youth Club at Oasis Southampton City Farm

The Oasis Hub Lord's Hill will also be launching a Youth Club at the farm, starting on Thursday 23rd April, 4 - 5.15pm. This is free, and open to all Oasis Academy Lord's Hill students. More details coming soon!

Easter Half-Term Afternoon Crafting Sessions

Faith at the Farm

The Oasis Southampton City Farm is hosting an Easter Eve Reflection and Easter Egg Hunt in Partnership with the Oasis Church & Maybush Parish on Saturday 4th April 4-5pm. This is a free event open to all!

Farm Holiday Club

The Farm provides a unique Holiday Club experience throughout the school holidays and during half term, working in collaboration with Southampton City Councils HAF Programme!  Our Holiday Clubs include both public bookable spaces, and HAF funded spaces, so that more young people in the community are able to access the farm! We are also running a SEND specific Holiday Club throughout the summer holidays, with smaller group sizes, more staff for support, and a more chilled environment. This option is only available for HAF families at present.  ​Children have the opportunity to take part in various aspects of farm life, including animal care and feeding, growing, picking and preparing fruit and vegetables, as well as woodland activities and outdoor team building games. This Holiday Club will provide children with the opportunity to get up close and personal with our beloved animals. Animal activities will vary daily and may include:  Animal feeding, handling, grooming, and walking.    You can find dates and bookings through the farm website - Holiday Club - Southampton City Farm   Easter dates open now!

Easter Egg Hunt

The Hub will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt at Oasis Academy Lord's Hill on Thursday 2nd April 12-2pm. This event is open to all children in years 5-8 and is a fantastic opportunity for children to connect with the academy, make new friends, and enjoy some fun activities. This is a completely free event, please sign up by following this link or scanning the QR code on the poster. We look forward to seeing you there!

Easter Sessions at Oasis Academy Lord's Hill

There are exciting events coming up at the Academy over Easter!  

Wellbeing Club at Oasis Academy Lord's Hill

After Easter our Wellbeing Lunch Club will be starting during both KS3 & 4 lunch breaks in G.01. Come along to play some games, have the opportunity to chat, and learn more about wellbeing!

We are currently in the process of inviting existing customers and hirers to rebook their current slots with us for the next academic year. Once this is completed, all remaining slots will be opened up to new customers, if you are interested in hiring a space within the Academy during the evening or over the weekend, please get in touch. Over the Easter holidays, the Academy will once again be a hive of activity, alongside our Hub sessions, we will also host the following groups:

• Testlands Holiday Club – Monday 30th March – Thursday 2nd April & Tuesday 7th April – Friday 10th April
• The Lab Tutor (Science GCSE day) – Tuesday 31st March
• ERL Football Camp – Tuesday 31st March & Friday 10th April
• Glide Learn to Ride (bicycle tuition) – Wednesday 1st April

The Academy will be closed over the Easter weekend from Friday 3rd April to Monday 6th April.

NEW GYM

Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill is also excited to announce that it will be opening a new gym this spring. The Academy has partnered with Sports England, securing a grant to partially fund the project which will see our fitness suite be fully refurbished with brand new state of the art equipment for students, parents and the community to enjoy. Further details will be released soon. So, watch this space!

If you would like any further information or have a general query, please contact billy.chafe@oasislordshill.org

Summer Term: Monday 13th April - Wednesday 22nd July Bank Holiday: Monday 4th May Year 8 Parents' Evening: Thursday 7th May Half-term: Monday 25th May to Friday 29th May Year 11 Prom: Friday 19th June Thorpe Park Rewards Trip: Friday 26th June Paultons Park Rewards Trip: Friday 3rd July Year 1o Parents' Evening: Thursday 9th July INSET Day: Friday 10th July GCSE Results Day: Thursday 20th August

Term dates can be found on our website.