About us
To inspire To learn To succeed
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.
