Oaklands Catholic School

Dedicated team provides expertise for Sixth Form students with additional or complex needs, including one-to-one support for EHCP students

“We have a team who provide high quality expertise to our Sixth Form students who have additional or complex needs. One to one support for EHCP students is of course available.”

The school's extended leadership team includes a SENCO.

“The school leadership structure is distributed; at a senior level the school operates with an extended leadership team that comprises a Headteacher, two Deputy Headteachers, three Assistant Headteachers, four Heads of core Departments, SENCO and Catholic Ethos and Culture Lead.”

Named Sixth Form Pastoral Lead provides support for stressed or struggling students, alongside tutors

“Support will be provided by your Tutor, or another member of staff who you feel comfortable talking to. Kelly Chinorwadza is our Sixth Form Pastoral Lead and is available in the Sixth Form office.”

Close relationship with tutor and wider Sixth Form team, students known and cherished individually

“You will see this manifest in many ways, not least of which in the close relationship you will forge with your tutor and the wider Sixth Form team.”

Science department provides a high-quality science education spanning Biology, Chemistry and Physics

“The department is proud to provide a high-quality Science education that lays the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.”

Students describe the sixth form as small with everyone knowing each other

““I went to sixth form because it’s small and everyone knows who you are” – Joe Y12”

Sixth Form has 210 students across Year 12 and 13, with 6 tutor groups in each year

“There are x6 in Year 12 and x6 in Year 13”

Enrichment on Wednesday afternoons includes work experience, performing arts, sports, subject ambassador roles, MOOCs and leadership opportunities

“On Wednesday afternoon, students in Year 12 take part in enrichment activities, which include: work experience, school display teams, performing arts, sports, subject ambassadors for Oaklands departments, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and leadership opportunities across the school.”

School runs guest speakers, HE+ programme, and an enrichment/work experience week in June

“We also have guest speakers, theHE+ programmeand inJune we have a week which focuses on enrichment activity and work experience.”

Students describe a strong sense of community where everyone knows everyone and help is always available

““There’s a real sense of community. Everyone knows everyone and there’s always someone to help” – Y13”

Catholic ethos described as the bedrock of the school, with a close, small community where each individual is known and cherished

“On one level it is an acknowledgement of our Catholic ethos which is the bedrock of all we do. This is reflected in our commitment to love and serve and this is something you will benefit from on a daily basis. As a smaller Sixth Form we are also a close community and this means each individual is known and cherished.”

Entry requires at least five GCSEs at grade 4-5 including English and Maths

“All applicants should expect to achieve at least five GCSE’s at grade 4-5 including English and Maths.”

The Sixth Form College at Oaklands is relatively small with around 250 students, drawn from a wide catchment area.

“The Sixth Form College at Oaklands Catholic School is relatively small with around 250 students, drawn from the main school as well as from diverse schools over a wide catchment area.”

Application process timeline includes Open Evening in October, application deadline in December, and Open Day/Taster Lessons in July

“Application Form | 16th October 2025 | | Application Form Deadline | 5th December 2025 | | Confirmation Letter | February 2026 | | GCSE Exams | May – June | | Open Day and Taster Lessons | 7th July 2026 |”

Minimum entry requirement of five GCSEs grade 4-5 including English and Maths, with 5-6 preferred for many courses

“All applicants should expect to achieve at least five GCSE’s at grade 4-5 including English and Maths. For many courses a grade 5-6 is a better indication of suitability.”

Lists Russell Group universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, LSE that top employers recruit from

“The Russell Group (Level 9 -5 at GCSE and A\*-B at A Level) are the UK’s highest performing universities and top employers approach _them_ to recruit graduates”

The sixth form leads to either university study or employment as onward destinations.

“It is a bridge between the world of compulsory schooling and university study or employment.”