The advancement of Geographical skills as well as brushing up on coastal case studies before the summer examinations was the purpose of the recent trip to the Isle of Purbeck for our Year 12 Geography students.

During their three day visit the students were taken to some of the finest coastal scenery in the UK (if not the world?) and were able to see how coastal management has been conducted along Christchurch Bay from Hengistbury Head to Hurst Castle Spit.

 The geology of the Purbeck coast was explored late on the first day as the students were shown Old Harry Rocks at the chalk headland of Hand-fast Point and many could not believe that this band of chalk once joined with the Needles on the Isle of Wight forming a land bridge before sea levels rose af-ter the last Ice Age.

The importance of the geology along the coast from Exmouth in Devon to Old Harry Rocks in Dorset has resulted in the area being branded a ‘UNESCO World Heritage Site’ and as such, puts the area on a par with places such as the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef. The importance of the area was not lost on the students as they explored Swanage, Portland Bill, Chesil Beach, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole.

 The group conducted a beach survey at Ringstead Bay, which will enable them to answer a sizeable section of their skills paper in June.

Despite a very early start on the final day, the enthusiasm of the students did not diminish as they were given the opportunity to attempt rock climbing and abseiling along the limestone cliffs at Dancing Ledge in what was a fine culmination to a superb three days.

For information on Challenge Week, click the links below:

Year 7 Booklet

Year 8 Booklet

Year 9 Booklet

Challenge Week Medical Form

Oaklands Exam Results - There was an error in the first version of this document – this is the correct one.

A Level

Another high set of A level examination results was celebrated by students and staff on 25th August, with a phenomenal 99.6% of grades at  A*-E‘, up on last year. The number of grades at A*‘ to C‘ continued its upward trajectory to 80%, with a 54% return at A*‘ to B‘ grades. As last year, 100% of students achieved at least 1 A level pass.

The results are a fitting tribute to the hard work of a truly wonderful group of students. It is very rewarding to see the progress made by many of our students from entry into Year 7 through to Year 13. The national picture for university candidates presented a gloomy view this year. The high grade profile achieved at Oaklands resulted in the overwhelming majority of students gaining entry to their UCAS university places.

 9 of the 84 students achieved straight As or A*s‘ in three or four subjects, two of these were Emily Hopkins and David Hodges. 100% pass rate was achieved in many subjects including History, Geography, English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry. A*s‘ were awarded in many subjects including Physics, Maths RE and English. Many other subjects were equally successful.

The school continues to justify its strong reputation at Advanced Level.

GCSE

Again this year the school demolished the 80% barrier at 5+ A*-C, achieving over 86% GCSE grades in all subjects. 75% of students achieved 5+ A*- C grades including English and Maths, this was in line with the tough target set by the Local Authority. Against the new Government EBAC measure, the school scored 41%. These results need to be seen in the context of a traditional curriculum.

A number of students were star performers; Callum Stirling achieved 9A*, Catherine Hodges 10A*, Emily Schonhut 9A* and Michael Weekes 8A*. The hard work, effort and reward of all students who achieved in line or better than their potential must be acknowledged.

All departments performed well with R.E achieving 54% A*-A, Chemistry 74% A*-A, Physics 68% A*-A. Nationally, this year students took a different type of examination at GCSE compared with previous years; for most GCSE subjects coursework has been re-moved and replaced with controlled assessment, it therefore makes it difficult to make a year on year comparison. We are regularly reminded how difficult it is for young people in the current economic climate, but Oaklands students are secure in the knowledge that they will be able to go onto College, Sixth Form or apprenticeships because Oaklands has provided them with a firm foundation.