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Oasis Academy Coulsdon

Website: Click here to go to the Academy's website

Oasis Community Learning has been selected by Croydon Council to run the proposed Academy in Coulsdon. The new Academy would replace Coulsdon High School and it is targeted to open in September 2008.

The existing building would receive an immediate upgrade for September 2008 and would be substantially rebuilt and extended with new sixth form facilities for 2011.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) about Academies. They are a great resource for finding answers to your questions.

If, however, you have questions that are not answered in the FAQ list, please email your question to Ruth Chalke: ruth.chalke@oasisuk.org. We will post the questions and answers on this site, so do keep checking back for a response.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is an Academy?
A. Academies were introduced as new all-ability schools by the Government in 2000 and aim to challenge under-attainment and deliver a real improvement in educational standards. Although independent, Oasis Academy Coulsdon will seek to work closely with the Local Authority, local schools and other organisations for the good of all young people, and the community. 

Q. Who funds the Academy?
A. Academies are publicly funded independent schools. The majority of funding for building and facility costs comes direct from central government (Department for Children, Schools and Families, or DCSF). The DCSF also funds the annual running costs of the Academy via a grant each academic year. The sponsor establishes an endowment fund which is there to benefit the education of those who attend the Academy. The sponsor also has responsibility for all aspects of the Academy – from the initial design to the day-to-day running of the school. The Local Authority has responsibility for driving forward the building aspects of the project with the sponsor and central government. The Oasis Academy in Coulsdon would be sponsored by Oasis Community Learning, a registered charity (no. 1109288).

Q. How will the Oasis Academy in Coulsdon be different?
A. Oasis Community Learning’s values and ethos will permeate all aspects of the school. Some of these are as follows:

• We are committed to the principle of inclusion. Rather than seeking to exclude challenging students our goal is to always find ways of inclusion throughout the development and delivery of appropriate alternative curriculum opportunities and through working in liaison with the other schools within the Local Authority.
• We believe that a successful education is one which prepares and equips each student for living life to the full and is therefore about more than the formal curriculum.
• We believe that we all learn best not just by listening or even watching, but by participating or ‘doing’.
• We believe that our staff must model what we teach our students.
• We believe that a rounded education will address the key issues facing humankind (e.g. how to live peacefully and sustainably on our planet, respecting the needs of people everywhere).
• We believe that each student should be seen as potentially having different skills, talents, insights and abilities. We equally value these different skills and are committed to enabling students to demonstrate them in a variety of ways.

Q. What happens to the current staff when the school becomes an Academy?
A. As we manage the process of transition from the existing school to the Oasis Academy, we are mindful of our responsibility to the existing staff team and our legal obligation to follow the correct process for the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment), or TUPE. This means that staff will transfer to jobs in the new Academy that closely resemble their current positions.

While the TUPE process is the responsibility of the Local Authority as the current employer, Oasis is keen to work closely with them to ensure the transition process runs smoothly.

Q. What is the admissions policy for the new Academy?
A. The admissions policy for Oasis Academy Coulsdon is totally inclusive. Students are accepted irrespective of ability or faith. Those with disabilities and learning difficulties are also welcome. All places at the Academy will be free and available to the local community within an admissions policy which mirrors the admission arrangements for community schools in Croydon.