Oaktree is a maintained day special school for students with a wide range of complex needs. It is co-educational and caters for up to 95 children and young adults aged from 7 - 19.

The school was opened on June 15th 1965 and occupies a delightful site on Enfield's western boundary, close to open countryside. The building itself, which won a design award, is all on one level and comprises: ten classrooms, a therapy room, Food Technology, Art Room, a kitchen and a hall which doubles as a gym. The school has 2 minibuses which are used regularly for educational visits and school journeys.  There was a new wing opened in 2008 which houses the Sixth Form and an additional kitchen. In 2016 we opened a state of the art Sensory Room.

Students follow a streamed curriculum throughout the school: on entry they are designated to a group according to their specific needs, within their key stage.  These groupings take account of their abilities and social and emotional needs. Younger students follow a primary model with most lessons being taught by the class teacher and support staff.   These groups spend a greater amount of time with their form tutors on basic subjects.  Older students follow more of a secondary model with many lessons taught by specialist teachers. 

In the Sixth Form our curriculum is tailored towards Independence and externally validated modules recognised by colleges and employers (AQA, Entry Level qualifications, ASDAN).

We are currently developing additional post-sixteen courses and experiences for our Sixth Formers.

Classes rarely contain more than twelve pupils and have the support of either one or two Learning Support Assistants depending on their needs. 

We are increasingly outward-bound in our curriculum, due to the complexity of our student’s needs.  When they leave Oaktree our students will live and work in the community, so they learn to shop, to visit libraries and sport-centres, to visit shows, zoos and theatres and to access outside activity-centres. We intend to enrich their lives through an education which emphasises life-skills and experiences which enhance life. 

Russell Davey

Head teacher