Oaklands Catholic School

Oaklands Catholic School

Motto	United by the Cross
Established	1966
Religion	Roman Catholic
Headteacher	Matthew Quinn MA,Bed(Hons),DipQS,NPQH
Chair of Governors	Captain Paul Quinn OBE RN
Specialism	Humanities College
Location	Stakes Hill Road Waterlooville PO7 7BW England
Local authority	Hampshire
DfE URN	116503
Ofsted	Reports
Staff	71 full time, 11 part time
Students	1296
Gender	Coeducational
Ages	11–18
Website	oaklands.hants.sch.uk

Coordinates: 50°52′06″N 1°01′18″W / 50.86836°N 1.02158°W / 50.86836; -1.02158

Oaklands Catholic School is a Roman Catholic voluntary (Aided) comprehensive coeducational school and sixth form college located in Waterlooville, Hampshire.^[1] It opened in 1966, although its history can be traced back to 1902. Around 1300 students attend the school with over 150 in the Sixth Form. Oaklands has been a specialist humanities college since September 2005. The school recently developed a new Mission Statement: Community, Unity, Opportunity.^[2]

Senior management

The school's senior management team has recently undergone many changes. Chris Whitfield, who had been the headteacher for 26 years left the school at the end of the 06-07 academic year and was replaced by newcomer Matthew Quinn. At the end of the following year, the two deputy heads, Martin Lewis and Maggie Child, also retired. The structure of the senior management is now: Headteacher: Matthew Quinn, Deputy Head Teachers: Dr A Howson, Mrs J. Oldroyd, Asst Head Teachers: Mrs J Hoar, Mr R. Cunningham, Mrs D McConn Finch.

Buildings

The school consists of 7 different blocks, mainly separated into different subject groups. There have been several recent replacements of old prefabricated blocks with newer brick-built buildings. The three new blocks consist of a new music block, Geography and History block (Formerly C block, now John Paul II block) and Sixth Form Block. Each of these blocks has been built in a similar style, often incorporating a cross in different coloured bricks.

Ofsted

The school received a 'outstanding' Ofsted report in 2008.^[3]

CAFOD

The school CAFOD team, led by Mr Sumba, is currently the only one in the whole Portsmouth area. Recently formed, it has already sent two students to work in the Kenyan slum of Korogocho for 10 days.

Music

The music department, led by Miss E Flood, offers not only GCSE and A level music, but also private instrument tuition in a large number of instruments ranging from piano, flute and oboe to electric guitar, saxophone and double bass. There are currently three school bands, the Oaklands band, the Concert band, and the Big band.

Alumni

There are currently three Members of Parliament (MPs) who are alumni of Oaklands School: Jon Cruddas, the Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham; Penelope Mordaunt, elected in 2010 as the Conservative MP for Portsmouth North; and Caroline Dinenage, also elected in 2010, who represents Gosport as a Conservative.^{[citation needed]}

The present UK Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses, Louise Casey, also studied at the school.^{[citation needed]}

Neil Weld BA. (hons) - Portsmouth F.C Club Reporter

Uniform

The school uniform has been completely re-designed for the September 2009 academic year, with year 7 students being required to buy the new uniform in the first year of introduction. Years 8-10 will also be required to wear the new uniform after the initial introductory year. The uniform, which is a different colour scheme from the previous one, now includes a blazer made from recycled plastic bottles, a new striped tie and a choice of long or short-sleeved jumper.

The expense of the uniform has caused controversy,^[4] as a large girl's uniform will cost £97 without PE kit. A press release was submitted on the school website^[5] claiming many of the facts written by the newspaper articles are incorrect, and that many of the products are available for less in different stores.

References

1. ^ BBC NEWS | Education | League Tables | Performance results for Oaklands Catholic School
2. ^ http://www.oaklands.hants.sch.uk/missions-and-values/attachment/oaklands-mission-statement/
3. ^ Ofsted | Find an inspection report
4. ^ Comprehensive defends new school uniform costing nearly £100 | Education | The Guardian
5. ^ http://www.oaklands.hants.sch.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=0&Itemid=32

External links

• School history