Welcome to...

Oasis Academy Coulsdon

Sixth Form

When I was a teenager I used to attend a local

church-based youth club at the weekends. There I

learnt two important lessons in life. The first was that

the 15-year-old girl that I started going there in an

attempt to woo into becoming my girlfriend wasn’t

the least bit interested. To her I was a non-entity

– a mere 14-year-old! But the second was that I am

made in the image of God and that as a result, my

life, just like each life, has purpose and meaning. In

short, I learnt that every person matters.

So it was that I became inspired to create ways to

help build communities where everyone – both young

and old – had hope, felt they mattered and were

given the opportunity to achieve to their full potential.

As a result, in 1985 I set up Oasis, a charity which

now provides education, housing and healthcare

around the world.

Oasis Community Learning, part of what was by

then a family of Oasis charities, began its life in 2004

with the goal of developing a number of Academies

across the UK. And, just like the rest of Oasis’ work

around the world, right at its heart are the same

values. Inspired by Christ, we are committed to

valuing all, protecting rights to freedom and choice,

working against discrimination and exclusion,

respecting the beliefs of others and nurturing

confident and competent young people.

That’s why Oasis Academy Coulsdon’s purpose is to

provide a rich and balanced educational environment

– academically, vocationally, socially, morally,

spiritually, emotionally and environmentally for all our

students.

That’s why we aim to develop informed and active

learners who can explore questions, seek answers

and solve problems – students who will care

passionately about their neighbour, their community

and their planet.

That’s why, through high-quality facilities, outstanding

staff and clear leadership, we work to create a

positive and affirming environment, encouraging

partnerships between students, parents/carers and

the wider local community.

That’s why Oasis Academy Coulsdon’s goal is to

provide a welcoming environment for students of

all faiths and none, as well as for their parents and

carers.

Oasis believes that every person matters.

Oasis Community LearningEvery person matters

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” W.B. Yeats

Steve Chalke

MBE - CEO,

Oasis Commun

ity Learning

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Mission and Vision Statement

We celebrate every person as a unique individual. Through our passion, commitment and innovation we nurture, challenge and guide learners to excel in a life of limitless potential.

We are a loving family who has the highest expectations and aspirations for all, working together to overcome barriers to success and fulfilment.

As an Oasis Academy we will be an outstanding, vibrant learning community that develops the skills required for an ever-changing world and a hunger for life-long learning.

We strive for excellence through a holistic educational journey that will transform the lives of every learner and the communities that we serve.

“Preparing for a life of limitless potential”I am delighted that you are considering joining our Sixth Form and becoming part of our Academy Family.

Our Sixth Form Centre is located in the heart of our brand new building which opened in September 2011 and our students benefit from first class facilities, specifically designed to maximise learning.

We have put together an exciting programme of study which caters for all ability levels. If you choose to continue your studies at Oasis Academy Coulsdon Sixth Form you will have access to unprecedented levels of support which will ensure you obtain the qualifications and life-skills you need for a successful life and independent living.

Our Sixth Form provides a wealth of opportunities to help you decide which career path is right for you. We recognise that this can be a daunting prospect but our team of dedicated staff are always on hand to provide support and advice. We have high aspirations for all of you and fully expect that the majority of you will want to progress to Universities (including Oxbridge) or colleges across the country.

Sixth Form life at Oasis Academy Coulsdon offers a combination of structured school security coupled with more flexibility and freedom within a carefully planned and personalised timetable. You are expected to be role models, ambassadors and leaders of our Academy community.

As you mature into young men and women, we look forward to responding to your needs and stimulating your minds. You are taught in small groups by subject specialists who are able to share their enthusiasm and passion for their subject. Our commitment to developing ‘the whole person’ also means we equip you with essential life-skills such as managing personal finances, cookery, health and wellbeing. You also have access to an extensive range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities to enhance university and job applications.

Helping you achieve your dream is our number one priority and I do hope you will decide to place your future in our guiding and caring hands.

David Millar, Principal

Oasis Academy CoulsdonOutstanding - Everyone, every time

David Millar - Princ

ipal

Oasis Academy Cousld

on

EnrichmentAs part of our commitment to develop the whole person, all Oasis Academy Coulsdon students are expected to complete four ‘Arcs of Achievement’: Academic, Service, Enrichment and Professional.

Students are encouraged to excel at their academic studies; play a full part and serve the Academy community – “be a host, not a guest”; take part in the many enrichment opportunities provided, and develop their professional skills by taking advantage of leadership, enterprise and work

experience opportunities.

In the Sixth Form there are many opportunities to complete each of the different ‘Arcs’. Students enrol on The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme,

take part in voluntary work at ‘kids’ camps’ either at home or overseas. Some students may decide to take advantage of our extensive International links within the wider Oasis community with trips to Bangalore, India or the USA. Closer to home, we expect our Sixth Formers to contribute to the life of

the Academy and community we serve by organising charity events.

“I’ve had so many opportunities in the Sixth Form; I’m a much more confident person now and feel able to take control of situations” Joanne

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CoursesA wide variety of AS and A2 subjects are available and the Academy also offers an

extensive range of BTEC and Vocational courses. There is also the opportunity to

re-take some GCSEs in the Lower Sixth.

We have developed links with Coulsdon College which creates an exciting Sixth Form

experience for our students and is an attractive proposition for Parents and Carers.

Students benefit from having the security of remaining within the Academy whilst at

the same time having access to some specialised courses at the local College, just 10

minutes walk away.

“I really enjoy the rapport and relationship with teachers, they work

us hard but we have a laugh too”. Daniel

Pastoral CareWe recognise that there is a significant ‘jump’ from studying GCSEs to Sixth Form

courses. Students are assigned personal Mentors to support them academically as

well as take care of their pastoral needs. Students receive tuition in life-skills such as

personal financial management, health, wellbeing and cookery, to help them prepare

for independent living.

Our Academy WellBeing Centre can support students and their families through a

network of nurses, professional consultants and external agencies. Students who are

experiencing difficulties either at school or at home can access confidential support

and advice when they need it.

“Provision ensures that students receive personalised attention,

supporting both their well-being, and their academic and personal

development” Ofsted 2011

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EnterpriseAll Sixth Form students have the opportunity to take part in The Young Enterprise Scheme. This gives them the chance to work with other Sixth Formers in Croydon where they learn to set up and run a real business.

The Academy runs social enterprise projects on behalf of ‘Stop theTraffik’ and has global links with Bangalore and Zimbabwe and we expect Sixth Formers to take leadership for these ventures.

There are many opportunities for taking part in enterprise competitions. Members of the Sixth Form will be able to compete as well as training younger students to take part.

Career Guidance and MentoringWe have a very strong programme of careers education and guidance which is delivered through the Sixth Form Mentors. In addition, we have as external Careers Adviser who regularly consults and advises students on higher education and career choices.

Students visit University Open Days and UCAS Fairs and we arrange mentoring for those who wish to take Oxbridge entrance exams. Through our extensive business and industry connections students will be able to undertake work experience placements in an area related to their career interests.

Leadership

Sixth Form students will be ambassadors, role models and leaders of the Academy. The Sixth Form Student Leadership Team meets regularly with the Academy Leadership Team. They are expected to contribute to the development of the Academy, help make policy decisions and perform daily duties to ensure the Academy runs smoothly.

“You have an outstanding Academy, and it is obvious that staff and pupils alike are proud of what you have all achieved. I particularly valued the opportunity to talk to the student leaders about their perspective on the Academy and their ambitions…” Andrew McCully, OBE, Director General (Acting) Department for Education, March 2012.

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How to Apply for a Sixth Form place at Oasis Academy CoulsdonOasis Academy Coulsdon operates a Sixth Form for a total of 250 students. 125 places overall will be available in Year 12

To determine eligibility for admission, please see our website for specific criteria in relation to minimum entrance requirements for Year 12 based on GCSE grades or other measures of prior attainment. The criteria will be the same for internal and external applicants.

Students failing to meet the grades for their preferred course option will be offered alternative courses if available. Students already on the Academy roll are entitled to transfer to Year 12 if they meet the published standards of entry.

If Year 12 is oversubscribed then, after the admission of students with Special Educational Needs where Oasis Academy Coulsdon is named on the statement, the criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set out below:

1. Looked after children and previously looked after children (see below) Note 1

Looked after children are defined as children in public care at the date on which the application is made

Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order, immediately after being looked after.

If an application is made under the ‘looked after’ criterion, it must be supported by a letter from the relevant Local Authority Children’s Services Department. (If applying under the previously looked after criterion a copy of the adoption or special guardianship order must also be supplied.)

2. Children who have specific medical needs, social needs or special needs where the application is supported by written specific health professional advice as to why admission to the Academy is necessary.

3. Children for whom Oasis Academy Coulsdon is the nearest school, with priority being given to those living nearest. The distance which determines how close the child lives to the Academy is the direct line measurement from the centre of the child’s main home to the designated main entrance, nominated by the Academy. For shared properties, e.g. flats, the centre will be taken from the centre of the building. The child’s permanent home address is where he or she normally lives and sleeps and from where they go to school. Proof of residence can be requested at any time throughout the admissions process. If false or misleading information is used to gain entry to the Academy, the offer of a place will be withdrawn and the application cancelled.

4. Siblings of students who will be attending the Academy and living at the same address on the date when the applicant would be admitted. The term ‘sibling’ means a full, step, half, adopted or fostered brother or sister, but not cousins. The Academy reserves the right to ask for proof of relationship.

In the event that the number of applications exceeds the places available within any of the above categories, distance will be used to decide between applications.

Where there is space within Year 13 (i.e. where there are fewer than 125 students in the year group) the Academy will admit additional students up to this number using the oversubscription criteria above.

There will be a right of appeal to the Independent Appeals Panel for unsuccessful applicants. Children over the age of 16 have the right to appeal.

FacilitiesIn September 2011 the completion of the £18.7m investment programme transformed the Academy into a world-class teaching and learning centre. Our dedicated Sixth Form Centre is at the heart of the building, overlooking the stunning new Agora which is used for lectures, performances and exhibitions. It includes private study areas as well as social spaces. There are new science laboratories, complete with science garden and exhibition area; music and production studios, a food technology suite with professional-standard catering equipment and our sports complex includes a dance studio, gym and fitness suite. Sixth Form students enjoy exclusive access to these facilities at allocated times.

Our Commitment to Equality Equality and inclusion are at the heart of Oasis. We have a passion to include everyone and a deep desire to treat everyone equally. We accept others for who they are and respect differences.

Our aim is to provide an excellent education for all our students. Our way of doing this is to work hard to improve students’ attainment and the standards of teaching and learning continually. At the same time, we also aim to meet the needs of the whole person and the whole community because we understand that the whole of life is education and that everyone who is part of a student’s life affects that student’s understanding of life and, therefore, his or her education. In this sense, every person matters.

Sixth Form students are required to dress in a business-style manner with clothes suitable for an office/workplace environment. Boys are required to wear smart trousers and shirt. Girls wear smart skirt/trousers with blouse and jacket. It is expected that students will choose to wear sensible colours.

Trainers, jeans, and leisurewear are not permitted. However, sportswear may be worn by PE students, as appropriate, during their timetabled lessons or activity days.

The Academy reserves the right to issue guidance on matters such as make up, jewellery and piercings as necessary.

Sixth Form Dress Code

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If you have a query regarding Oasis Academy Coulsdon please contact the Principal, David Millar through his PA, Marion Jones, on 01737 551 161 or email marion.jones@oasiscoulsdon.org.

You can keep up-to-date with developments at Oasis Academy Coulsdon via our website www.oasisacademycoulsdon.org

If you wish to know more about Oasis Community Learning – part of the Oasis group of charities please contact:

The Oasis Centre, 75 Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7HS www.oasisuk.org/education

Registered number: 5398529.