Year 8 Guidance Evening

26th January 2026Nathan Davidson

Year 8 Guidance Evening website featured imageWe are delighted to invite parents to the forthcoming Year 8 Guidance Evening on Wednesday 4th February, from 5.30 – 6.30pm.

The evening will be held in the assembly hall. The presentation will cover the following topics.

  • Understanding Sparx Maths & how best to support your child
  • How to promote Reading – Mr Radmore and Ms Perrin
  • How to support your child – Mrs Avery
  • Attendance and punctuality – Mr Doyle
  • Head of Year/Deputy Head of Year/Assistant Head of Year drop in

You will need to arrive for a 5.30pm start in the main hall, refreshments will be available from 5pm.

We look forward to welcoming you to this event, your child’s attendance is optional.

Reuse, Save, Support – Uniform Donations

23rd January 2026Nathan Davidson

Reuse save support, uniform donations featured imageWe are looking for donations of second-hand Oathall uniform.

If you have any items that are no longer required and are in good condition, we would be very grateful if you would consider donating them. Donations can be dropped off at the school reception during the school day. We welcome contributions of trousers, ties, skirts, jumpers, blazers, shirts, shoes, and PE kits.

The donated uniform will be made available at our upcoming year group evenings, where items can be taken in exchange for a small donation of your choice. We will notify you in advance of the dates when the uniform will be on offer.

Thank you very much for your continued support.

Details for Extended Learning afternoon next month released

22nd January 2026Nathan Davidson

On Tuesday 3 February our students will be taking part in the next Extended Learning afternoon. The details of which are as follows:

Speed networking, Extended Learning Day 2025

Students engaged in speed networking event at Oathall in 2025 as part of Extended Learning initiative


Year 7 – The focus of the afternoon is entrepreneurship and the Make £5 grow project. Students will work together in small groups and come up with a business idea. They will have to research their idea and put together a business plan including financial projections. They will then pitch their business to their tutor and tutor group. Two businesses from each tutor group will be selected as the winning teams, we will then give them £5 per person to set up the business.

Year 8 – Students will be taking part in a STEM afternoon focusing on basic forensic science. Students will be gathering evidence to solve a crime. They will be working in groups in their science classes.

Year 9 – We will be launching the option process with students; this will involve an assembly and each student participating in four taster lessons from a variety of subjects they have chosen from.

Year 10 – Students will spend the afternoon focusing on careers and their future plans. We have a large number of volunteers coming into school from various industries and the students will get to speak to them and ask them questions in a speed networking activity.

Year 11 – Students will be completing a mock examination in English. They will go on an early lunch (12.20-12.50) so please be aware that although the canteen will be open it will only have chilled food & drink available. If your child has extra time please note the exam will finish later than the normal finish time of 3.05pm and alternative transportation home may need to be arranged.

The focus for each year group varies but I am sure you will agree they are all worthwhile educational activities.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Four adorable, baby guinea pigs welcomed to the Farm

19th January 2026Nathan Davidson

Oathall are excited to announce that four guinea pigs – each only 15 weeks old – have been introduced to the Farm, and are reported to be settling in nicely.

The herd includes one albino (Bailey), one with all-white colouring (Daisy), another jet back (Orio) and a black and white mix with a touch of ginger (Jessie).

They are pictured here with Year 10 students – Willow, Annabel, Seema and Akira – who are working towards gaining their Animal Care BTEC qualification next year.

The two adults – Tigger and Bean – have certainly welcomed them into the fold, and appear pleased to have the company and have been active in their preening.

As the new guinea pigs are still settling in, we are keeping their interactions quite small at the moment. Students who take part in Farm Club and Animal Care will be able to meet them, and in time classes and tutors will be able to book a slot to come down and see them under supervision.

Senior Farm Technician, Clara Farmer

Excitement builds for Federation Music Day

16th January 2026Nathan Davidson

Federation Music Day 2026 post featured imageWe are holding our Federation Music Day on Tuesday 20th January. This project is an exciting day of music to be held at the college, and involves music students from Oathall, together with music students from our Federation schools Downlands Community School, Imberhorne School and Sackville School.

The aim of the project is to enrich and broaden the musical experience of our musicians by providing them with an opportunity to play in a symphonic setting under the direction of expert musicians in a positive, inclusive and social environment.

Mrs Mactaggart, Head of Music, Oathall Community College.

The event has been collectively organised by the Federation’s Heads of Music who, between them will direct the pieces and coach the string, brass, woodwind, percussion, guitar, bass and keyboard sections and lead the choir to maximise students’ learning and progression. In addition, students will have the opportunity to be coached by the professional musicians from Ensemble Reza and Rebetiko Carnival.

We will rehearse throughout the day and then perform together at the end of the day for our head teachers and members of the Federation governing boards.

You’re invited to our Parent Partnership Meeting

15th January 2026Nathan Davidson

Friends Of Oathall Parent Partnership Meeting post featured image library
We would like to welcome you on Thursday 22nd January for our Parent Partnership Meeting from 5pm to 5:45pm in the Library. This session will be expressions of interest for our Friends of Oathall community. To start, there will be a short presentation to outline its aims, followed by the opportunity for you to discuss your views and suggestions on how we can develop this further in the future. We would be delighted if you could join us, but if you are unable to attend and would like to know more about our parent/teacher community ‘Friends of Oathall’, please email Ms L Somers, Head of Performance Faculty

Inaugural Pre-loved Clothes Swap event launched

14th January 2026Nathan Davidson

Pre-loved Clothes Swap post featured imageAs part of the Helping Other People and the Planet initiative, Wellbeing Reps across the school are spearheading a campaign to encourage their fellow students to donate up to three items of clothing – suitable for young people, aged 11-16 – for the first Pre-loved Clothes Swap event in school.

During the week commencing 9 February, students will be invited to attend Clothes Swaps at lunchtime in the Assembly Hall.

Students will receive one token for each piece of clothing they donate, which in turn can be exchanged for one piece of clothing at the events.

Parents should have approved the clothing donations, which must be in good condition and should not include underwear or swimwear.

Alison Bennett MP spends the day at Oathall

13th January 2026Nathan Davidson

Alison Bennett MP visit January 2026Last Friday, we welcomed our local MP, Alison Bennett, to the school. On her visit she met the Senior Prefect team, answering lots of their questions and telling them all about the life of an MP. Alison then had a tour of the school with the Headteacher.

Mr Houghton, Headteacher said:

I was very pleased to welcome Alison Bennett, our local MP, to Oathall where she met with our senior prefects for a Q&A session and had a tour of the school. She was very complimentary about the school and commented on how hard working the students were in lessons

.