oldfield school
Bath
We provide an exceptional education in an environment that challenges all
students and fosters ambition. Our students have respect for themselves, each
other and their school and are well-prepared to face the world as compassionate,
confident and resilient young people. Nature of the school and location Oldfield
School is a successful, high attaining 11-18 mixed comprehensive with 1250
students located in the historic city of Bath. The school campus is on the
outskirts of the north-west of the city and we benefit from a large, semi-rural
setting with excellent transport links for students and staff. The school has an
attractive, open and dispersed site. A notable feature is the location of
teaching rooms and our Sixth Form in Penn House, an 18th century Georgian manor
house. Our school has an excellent reputation locally and in the wider community
for academic excellence and the quality of pastoral care and support. The school
has with a comprehensive intake which reflects the diversity of the local
community. The most recent Ofsted inspection was in January 2020, when the
school was judged to be good in all areas. A feature of the inspection report
was the inclusive nature of the school and the sense of community felt by staff
and students. Inspectors commented that staff were overwhelmingly positive about
the support that they receive from leaders and on how friendly and welcoming the
school is for staff. Oldfield is a school where staff development is an
essential feature. The teaching and support staff at the school are an excellent
team who work well together to provide opportunities for students to achieve or
exceed their potential. The needs of our students are paramount and this is
recognised by all staff, who have a common view that only the best is good
enough. We have a commitment to sharing good practice in developing leaders,
teachers and support staff. The school has a successful and popular Sixth Form
of 190 students. We offer a wide range of A Level courses and opportunities for
our sixth form students and all faculties offer A Level courses. A Level classes
are relatively small, which provides a personalised learning experience for our
students. Curriculum The curriculum for Key Stage 3 follows the National
Curriculum. Students study either Spanish or French throughout Key Stage 3 with
the more able studying both languages. A wide range of courses additional to the
core subjects are offered at Key Stage 4. Students are encouraged to study
humanities and languages and the great majority do so. There is setting in
ability groups in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 where appropriate. Almost all Key
Stage 4 examination entries are GCSEs, Year 10 and 11 students typically study
9/10 GCSEs. Subjects are organised in six learning areas with the Leaders of
Learning line-managed by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Pastoral Care
Students remain in the same tutor group throughout their school career. The
Heads of Year are responsible for the pastoral care of around 200-224 students
from Years 7 to 11. The pastoral leaders are supported and line managed by a
member of the SLT. We also have a House system to encourage a sense of
community. The four houses are led by a Head of House and there are regular
inter-house competitions and fund raising events. Resources and Accommodation
The provision of high quality resources is a priority for the school. There are
specialist teaching rooms for all subjects and most teachers have their own
teaching room. ICT facilities are excellent with specialist ICT teaching rooms
as well as comprehensive ICT facilities in many general teaching rooms. The
school is very well maintained, ensuring that learning spaces of the highest
possible standard are a priority. Oldfield School is a fantastic place to work.
Students are keen and helpful and staff are enthusiastic and dedicated to
bringing about the highest quality learning outcomes for our students.
