OLDFIELD SCHOOL
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
An Introduction
Oldfield School is an 11-18 oversubscribed comprehensive school on the outskirts of Bath. It serves the City of Bath and the outskirts of Bristol. Boys were admitted into Year 7 from September 2012, at present Years 9-11 are girls only, the sixth form admits boys. Our site is a particularly attractive one on the western edge of Bath, overlooking the beautiful Avon valley.
Oldfield’s History
Oldfield was founded in 1892, it moved from the city centre to our present location in 1959. In 2004 we were designated a High Performing Specialist School, our specialisms are Science, Arts and Sports. Oldfield is a NCSL National Support School, this means we support other schools and undertake primary outreach work. As a school graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted we converted to academy status in February 2011.
The Students
Oldfield draws about half of its students from Bath, the other half come from north west of the city, from the Bristol fringes. We have a very wide catchment area and this means that we receive students from over forty primary schools. The intake is comprehensive, with very small numbers gaining places for outstanding artistic, scientific or sporting abilities. Our sixth form provision is focussed on A levels.
Our Staff
We have around 60 full and part time teachers and 30 support staff. Our support staff team includes a pastoral support worker, clerical support posts working directly with faculty teams and a team of peripatetic music teachers giving lessons to many students. We work in partnership with the Bath Spa University and the University of West of England to provide placements for training teachers. There is a cycle of meetings each term:
i full staff meeting;
ii Forum (middle management);
iii faculties;
iv year teams;
v faculty or departments;
Our Curriculum
All of our students are placed in mixed ability tutor groups, these remain in place for the first five years. All teaching in Year 7 is in mixed ability groups.
We allow our students to make guided choices as they go into Year 10. The arrangement of setting is left up to each Head of Faculty and his/her team.
We have a faculty structure consisting of Communications (including Drama and Media), Maths (including ICT and Business), Science, Humanities (including Geography, History, RE, Psychology & PSHE), MFL and Sport (including Dance).
Most teachers also act as tutors, this is a year based system. The school day consists of 5 one hour periods, making up a 25 period week.
Our Aims and Ethos
Our children are our future. We are justly proud of the high quality of education which we provide. We insist on high standards: we expect our young people to work to the best of their ability, to behave in a way which shows courtesy to those around them, and to wear their uniform smartly. We know that if we have high expectations of our young people there is no limit to what they can achieve, the sky’s the limit!
Our aims are to help students to:
~ develop lively, enquiring minds;
~ acquire understanding, knowledge and skills to equip them for adult life in the new millennium;
~ build up self esteem, respect for and tolerance of others;
~ foster sporting, aesthetic and cultural achievement;
~ realise their full potential.
Our Achievements
As a fully comprehensive school we are pleased with our examination results. In 2013 at Key Stage 3 the teacher assessments were as follows: percentage gaining Level 5 or above, English 99%; Maths 98%; Science 91%.
In terms of GCSE results 77% of Year 11 gained 5 or more A* to C grades including English and Maths, this was the best result in the local authority. 88% of all GCSE grades were A*-C. At A2 level our average UCAS points score per student was 231 with an overall pass rate of 98%.
Our most recent Ofsted inspection, September 2012, was very successful, we were graded an ‘outstanding’ school again. Comments included:
· “Students thrive in an environment that is highly conducive to excellent learning”.
· “Teaching is outstanding. Teachers have high expectations, and manage their classes very well to ensure that students are fully engaged in learning”.
· “Parents and students have a high regard for the school”.
· “Students’ behaviour in and outside of lessons is impeccable. Students are polite, courteous, helpful and constructive”.
· “Teachers’ expectations are very high, and a very potent force when coupled with the great pride students take in their work”.
In 2001 we gained Artsmark Gold, this was re-awarded in 2004, 2007, 2010 and again in 2013. We have gained the DfES School Achievement Award. We hold the Healthy Schools Award. In 2008 we gained the Inclusion Quality Mark. Since 2008 we have been a NSCL National Support School and the Headteacher is a National Leader of Education.
Our Site
The main building in Kelston Road was built in 1959 and houses the administrative offices, MFL, Technology, ICT, Art, the dining area, the school Hall and the gym.. We have extended the Library to become a Learning Resource Centre, fully equipped with computers to support learning. The other part of our site is known as Penn, it is a grade two listed building and converted stables, these house English, the Sixth Form and Music. The two parts of the site are only separated by a public bridle path and our playing fields. Sports College status enabled us to build five new tennis courts; a Dance Studio was completed in September 2006. A new Sports Hall and multi user games area opened in September 2012. Geography is housed in the John Malloy block. A new ten classroom accommodation block opened early in 2013this houses History, RE and Maths. A further Drama and classroom block will be completed by September 2014.
Recruitment/Background information – updated Mar 2013