Oasis Academy Enfield: Community-Focused Secondary with Rising Results

From a cluster of portacabins in 2007 to a purpose-built campus on Innova Business Park, Oasis Academy Enfield has grown into a genuine community anchor in the Enfield Lock area. The academy serves around 717 students aged 11 to 18, and the February 2025 Ofsted inspection rated all five judgement areas as Good. Principal Emma Robinson leads a school that combines academic improvement with distinctive enrichment pathways, including an elite Basketball Academy competing in European leagues. For families in Enfield seeking a non-selective secondary with improving outcomes and strong pastoral support, this academy offers a clear trajectory of progress.

The school was among the first three academies opened by Oasis Community Learning in September 2007, giving it a founder status within the trust that now runs dozens of schools across England. This longevity provides institutional stability, while the modern campus, constructed at a cost of around £21 to £30 million and opened in September 2008, offers purpose-built facilities designed specifically for contemporary education. The academy sits within Oasis Community Hub: Enfield, meaning the school operates as part of a broader network of community services rather than as an isolated institution.

The school occupies a modern building on Kinetic Crescent, a ten-minute walk from Enfield Lock Station. The architecture is functional rather than historic, designed specifically for education when the academy moved from its temporary accommodation in September 2008. Wide corridors and flexible learning spaces reflect the building's origins as a purpose-built academy rather than an adapted Victorian structure. The campus includes a 182-seat Theatre Hall with tiered retractable seating, projection facilities, and stage curtains, reflecting the importance placed on performance and community gathering.

Oasis Academy Enfield operates under the LEARN values: Lead, Excel, Aspire, be Resilient, and Nurture. These five principles underpin what the school calls "The Enfield Way," a behaviour and culture framework that emphasises positive attitudes and mutual respect. Staff are described as dedicated to supporting not just pupils but their families, reflecting the broader Oasis Community Learning ethos of transforming lives through education. This family engagement approach extends to practical measures such as free breakfast provision and community hub services that operate from the academy site.

The academy was among the first three Oasis academies to open in September 2007, alongside schools in Grimsby and Immingham. This founder status gives Enfield a particular significance within the Oasis Community Learning trust, which now runs dozens of schools across England. The school maintains close links with nearby Oasis Academy Hadley in Ponders End, with the two schools operating a joint sixth form that expands course options for students at both sites. Students may take courses at either campus, creating a broader academic community than either school could offer alone.

The February 2025 Ofsted inspection confirmed that pupils behave well and respect each other and staff. Inspectors noted that parents recognise improved enrichment opportunities that support local families. The trust plays a crucial role in supporting the academy's ongoing development, providing resources and expertise that individual schools might struggle to access independently. This multi-academy trust support structure means Enfield benefits from shared best practice across the Oasis network while retaining its distinctive local identity.

GCSE outcomes place Oasis Academy Enfield in the middle band of schools in England. The academy ranks 1,914th out of 4,593 ranked secondary schools in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it in line with the middle 35% of schools nationally. Locally, it ranks 17th out of secondary schools in Enfield. The combined GCSE and A-level ranking stands at 1,624th in England, reflecting the school's performance across both phases.

The 2024 results showed meaningful improvement across multiple measures. The Progress 8 score improved by 0.32 grades compared to 2023, representing roughly half a grade of additional progress per pupil. This improvement matters because Progress 8 measures how much pupils advance from their starting points at the end of primary school, regardless of their initial ability. The proportion of students achieving grades 5 to 9 in both English and Maths rose by 6%, a metric that universities and employers often scrutinise when assessing applications.

EBacc progress moved from a negative score of -0.12 in 2023 to a positive score of +0.14 in 2024. The English Baccalaureate measures performance across English, Maths, Sciences, a humanity subject, and a language, providing a broad academic foundation. Chemistry, History, Geography, and Spanish all saw increased percentages of pupils achieving grades 4 to 9, suggesting that improvement is occurring across subject areas rather than being concentrated in a few departments.

The current Attainment 8 score stands at 40.6, below the England average of 45.9. The Progress 8 score of -0.17 indicates pupils make slightly below average progress from their starting points, though the improving trajectory suggests the gap is narrowing. The EBacc average point score of 4.02 sits just below the England average of 4.08, with 26.8% of pupils achieving grades 5 or above in the EBacc subjects. While these figures show room for improvement, the direction of travel is positive across most metrics.

A-level outcomes currently sit below the England average. The academy ranks 1,770th out of 2,649 sixth forms in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the bottom 40% nationally. In Enfield, it ranks 15th among post-16 providers. The percentage of grades at A* currently stands at 6.67%, with A grades at 12% and B grades at 14.67%, giving a combined A*-B rate of 33.33%. This compares to the England average of 23.6% at A*-A and 47.2% at A*-B.

However, the 2024 A-level results showed notable improvement that the raw ranking figures do not fully capture. 50% of students achieved grades A* to B across academic and vocational qualifications, an increase on previous years and substantially higher than the England average when vocational equivalents are included. Mathematics was a particular standout, with 70% of the cohort achieving A* or A grades and a 100% pass rate at A* to C. This result demonstrates that students who engage fully with the academic programme can achieve at the highest level.

The school highlighted individual successes that illustrate what dedicated students can accomplish. A student named Tilbe earned an A* in Art alongside A grades in Mathematics and Criminology, showing the breadth of subjects where high grades are achievable. Such examples matter because they demonstrate that the school's ranking reflects cohort composition and historical factors rather than an inability to support high-achieving students.

The sixth form offers a blend of A-levels and vocational qualifications that creates multiple pathways to further education and employment. A-level subjects include Economics, while BTEC programmes cover Business Studies and Digital Information Technology. The LIBF Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Financial Studies provides an alternative pathway for students interested in finance and business careers, offering a vocational qualification with industry recognition. This mix of academic and vocational routes means students can select programmes that match their learning styles and career aspirations rather than being forced into a single academic pathway.

In the 2023/24 cohort of 50 leavers, 66% progressed to university. A further 8% entered employment directly, and 4% began apprenticeships. These destination figures provide important context beyond raw examination results, showing that students leave the school with clear pathways into their next stages of life. The relatively small cohort size of 50 students means individual decisions significantly affect percentage figures, so year-on-year variation should be expected.

One student secured a place at Cambridge, demonstrating that elite university pathways remain accessible despite the school's overall A-level ranking. This Oxbridge success, while representing a single student, matters because it shows that the school can support applications to the most competitive universities. There were two applications to Cambridge with one offer and one acceptance, indicating a 50% offer rate and 100% acceptance rate for those who received offers.

The school reports significant increases in students securing places at their first or second-choice universities, including Russell Group institutions. While specific Russell Group percentages are not published on the school website, the trend toward more students achieving their preferred destinations suggests improving outcomes preparation. The joint sixth form arrangement with Oasis Academy Hadley expands course availability and subject combinations, potentially strengthening university applications through broader academic profiles. Students can access subjects offered at either campus, creating a wider curriculum than either school could provide independently.

Parents comparing local performance can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page to view these results side-by-side using the Comparison Tool, enabling direct comparison with other Enfield schools offering post-16 provision.

The curriculum follows a structured approach across 16 core themes designed to help students memorise facts, recognise links, and make sense of the world around them. This thematic structure differs from traditional subject-by-subject teaching by creating connections between disciplines that help students retain and apply knowledge. Cross-curricular projects feature alongside discrete subject teaching, meaning students experience both integrated learning and focused subject study.

At Key Stage 3, students study English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Religious Education, French, Spanish, Computer Science, Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music, and Physical Education. Turkish joins the language options from Year 9, reflecting the local community's linguistic diversity. The three language options provide choice that many secondary schools do not offer, enabling students to select the language that best matches their background or interests.

Technology integration is significant. Through the Horizons scheme launched in 2021, every student and staff member received a tablet device. This one-to-one technology provision supports learning both in classrooms and at home, eliminating the digital divide that can disadvantage students from lower-income households. The tablet provision enables homework completion, revision using online resources, and access to educational apps that supplement classroom teaching.

The 2025 Ofsted inspection found that teachers use targeted questions effectively to assess understanding. This questioning technique matters because it allows teachers to identify misconceptions in real-time and address gaps before they compound. Inspectors noted that pupils' progress has improved, especially in English, though mathematics remains an area for continued focus. The inspection confirmed that the Oasis Community Learning trust plays a crucial role in supporting the academy's development, providing subject expertise and quality assurance that strengthens classroom practice.

At GCSE level, students can choose between traditional academic routes and applied learning pathways such as BTEC Digital Information Technology. This choice enables students who prefer practical, coursework-based assessment to demonstrate their abilities through methods that suit their learning preferences. The curriculum is designed to enable all students to achieve the English Baccalaureate while also providing flexibility for those whose strengths lie in vocational subjects.

The academy takes a trauma-informed approach to pastoral care, recognising that students may arrive with complex backgrounds and needs. This approach means staff are trained to understand how adverse childhood experiences affect behaviour and learning, enabling more appropriate responses than purely disciplinary measures. Mental wellbeing resources are integrated into the school's support structures, alongside dedicated anti-bullying and cyber safety programmes. SEND support services ensure students with additional needs receive appropriate provision.

The Oasis 9 Habits character development framework runs alongside academic learning. This programme emphasises qualities such as hope, patience, humility, and self-control, reflecting the Christian charitable roots of the Oasis Trust while remaining accessible to families of all faiths and none. The school does not have a religious character designation despite the trust's Christian origins, meaning families are not required to demonstrate faith commitment for admission. The 9 Habits framework operates as a character education programme rather than religious instruction.

Each morning begins with form time from 8:40, providing a structured start to the day and an opportunity for pastoral check-ins. Form tutors develop relationships with their tutees over time, creating a reliable adult contact for students who may need support. The free breakfast club, opening at 7:30, ensures students can arrive early and eat before lessons begin, removing a practical barrier that might otherwise affect concentration and learning. Research consistently shows that hungry children struggle to concentrate, making this provision an investment in learning outcomes as well as welfare.

The February 2025 Ofsted inspection rated Behaviour and Attitudes as Good and Personal Development as Good, confirming that the pastoral structures are functioning effectively. Inspectors noted that pupils behave well and respect each other and staff, suggesting that the LEARN values and Enfield Way behaviour framework are embedded in school culture rather than existing only on paper.

Sport

The Oasis Basketball Academy represents the most distinctive extracurricular offering and provides a genuine elite pathway for talented players. Students enrolled in this sixth form programme receive a minimum of 12 hours basketball training per week, combining athletic development with A-level or BTEC study. Head Coach Perry Lawson, a former Great Britain and England international and founder of Astars Academies, leads the programme with a vision to provide training comparable to American and European basketball schools where sport and academics combine within the school day.

The academy competes in multiple leagues and competitions that provide regular competitive experience. The first team holds an unbeaten 7-0 record and sits top of the Western Conference in CBL Tier 3, placing them first in the UK at that level. The second team reached the last 16 of the AoC National Cup. Players also compete in the European Youth Basketball League, with one student, DJ Defretas-Smith, making the EYBL U20 All-Star team in November. This European exposure provides competition against international opponents and raises the programme's profile for university and professional scouts.

Students receive personalised strength and conditioning programmes tailored to their individual development needs. Mentoring from ex-professional players provides insight into what professional careers require and the work ethic needed to succeed. European competition tours offer cultural experiences alongside sporting development. Coach Lawson emphasises that the academy teaches hard work, discipline, and respect, attributes applicable beyond basketball to any walk of life.

Beyond basketball, the enrichment programme includes badminton, netball, futsal, football, boxing, table tennis, and fitness gym sessions. The PSG Academy partnership offers elite football training for interested students, though search results did not provide detailed information about this programme. These options ensure that students with sporting interests beyond basketball still have access to quality provision.

Creative and Academic Enrichment

All students in Years 7 to 9 participate in a structured enrichment programme covering critical thinking, arts, and sports. Over two years, students experience twelve different activities with the aim that some become lasting hobbies. This exposure model recognises that students may not know what they enjoy until they try it, and that discovering a passion at school can shape lifelong interests. Lunchtime clubs provide continuity; students who develop a passion for chess during enrichment sessions can join the lunchtime chess club to continue practising.

Creative options include creative writing, coding, origami, art, dance, and food technology. The cookery club teaches practical kitchen skills, while mindful yoga sessions support mental wellbeing. Financial education covering topics like reading payslips and managing bills provides practical life skills that many schools do not address, preparing students for adult responsibilities. Debate and chess develop strategic thinking, argumentation skills, and the ability to think several moves ahead.

The 182-seat Theatre Hall hosts performances and community events throughout the year. The Performing Arts department builds connections with external partners including Razed Roof, a youth drama company, and West End workshops that bring professional theatre expertise into the school. These connections offer work experience opportunities in the creative industries, helping students understand what careers in performance and production involve.

Community Engagement

As part of Oasis Community Hub: Enfield, the academy extends beyond education to serve the broader local community. The hub model means that the school site hosts services for local residents, and students participate in community initiatives rather than remaining isolated within their educational setting. Students participate in initiatives such as visiting local care homes, where they chat with residents, deliver mince pies, and perform music. This intergenerational contact benefits both the elderly residents and the students, who develop empathy and communication skills through meaningful interaction.

The academy received the Global School Alliance Bronze School Award in May 2025, recognising its international connections and global citizenship education. This award reflects the school's efforts to help students understand their place in a wider world rather than focusing solely on local concerns. Global partnerships and cultural exchange programmes expand students' horizons beyond their immediate community.

The school day runs from 8:40 to 3:00. Students must arrive by 8:30, entering from 8:00 via the main playground gate. The free breakfast club opens at 7:30, giving early arrivals time to eat before form time begins. The daily timetable includes five one-hour periods, a 20-minute break, and 40-minute lunch.

After-school enrichment runs from 3:00 to 4:00 daily. Year 10 and 11 students have access to academic intervention sessions and supervised study on Monday through Thursday, providing structured support for examination preparation. The library remains open until 4:15 Monday to Thursday and until 3:45 on Friday, offering a quiet space for homework and independent study.

Transport connections are reasonable. Enfield Lock Station sits a ten-minute walk from the academy, providing access to the Lea Valley Lines with connections into central London. Several bus routes serve nearby stops along Mollison Avenue. The Innova Business Park location provides a relatively quiet setting compared to schools on main roads, though families should assess journey times from their specific location. Free parking is limited, so driving may not be the most convenient option for regular drop-offs.

Applications for Year 7 entry are coordinated through London Borough of Enfield. Parents submit applications via the local authority website, with the academy accepting students of all abilities and both faith and no faith backgrounds. The school describes itself as fully inclusive, meaning admission is not contingent on academic selection, catchment zones, or religious practice. Standard local authority deadlines apply, with applications typically closing on 31 October for September entry and National Offer Day falling on 1 March.

Sixth form applications should be made directly to the academy rather than through the local authority. The joint arrangement with Oasis Academy Hadley means students may take some courses at either campus, expanding available options. This direct application process allows the academy to assess student suitability for their chosen courses and ensures students understand the commitment required, particularly for programmes like the Basketball Academy.

The academy admits students into all year groups from Year 7 to Year 13. In-year applications for Years 7 to 11 follow the local authority process. The 2025-26 admission arrangements policy document provides detailed oversubscription criteria for families needing to understand priority categories, including looked-after children, siblings, and distance-based allocation.

Open evenings and open mornings provide opportunities to see the school in action. The 2025 open evening runs on Tuesday 30 September, with doors opening at 5:15. Principal presentations take place at 5:45 and 6:45, with an additional Turkish-language presentation at 6:15 reflecting the local community's demographics. Open mornings run every Wednesday and Thursday through 30 October from 9:00 to 11:00, operating on a drop-in basis with no booking required. These visits enable families to observe lessons, meet staff, and assess whether the school's culture matches their expectations.

Parents interested in this school can use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise location relative to the school gates, helping to assess likely journey times and travel arrangements.

Academic outcomes remain below average. Despite genuine improvement in 2024 results, the Progress 8 score of -0.17 indicates students still make slightly less progress than they would at the average school. Families prioritising examination outcomes above other factors should weigh this carefully, particularly for GCSE entry. The trajectory is improving, but current outcomes lag behind many schools in the borough.

A-level results are in the lower tier. With rankings in the bottom 40% of sixth forms in England, families considering this school for post-16 study should examine subject-specific results carefully. The improvement trajectory is encouraging, and individual subjects like Mathematics perform strongly, but the overall picture remains below the England average. Families should compare with other local sixth form options before committing.

The Basketball Academy requires full commitment. Twelve hours of weekly training alongside A-levels or BTECs demands serious dedication. Students drawn to the programme without genuine passion for basketball may find the intensity overwhelming. This pathway suits students with serious athletic ambitions rather than casual interest in the sport.

The campus is purpose-built but not historic. Families seeking a traditional school environment with period architecture will not find it here. The functional modern building suits its educational purpose but lacks the character of older institutions. Students wanting Victorian grandeur or established traditions should look elsewhere.

Oasis Academy Enfield offers a community-centred secondary education with a clear improvement trajectory. The February 2025 Ofsted report confirmed Good ratings across all areas, and the 2024 examination results showed meaningful gains in multiple subjects. The school combines academic provision with distinctive enrichment, notably the elite Basketball Academy competing at European level. Principal Emma Robinson leads an institution that values both achievement and character development through the Oasis 9 Habits framework.

Best suited to families in the Enfield Lock area seeking a non-selective secondary that combines improving academic outcomes with strong pastoral support and genuine community engagement. The joint sixth form with Oasis Academy Hadley expands post-16 options, while the free breakfast club and inclusive ethos remove practical barriers to participation. For students with serious basketball ambitions, the Oasis Basketball Academy offers a pathway that few other schools in the area can match. The challenge lies not in entry but in ensuring the school's improving trajectory translates into individual student outcomes.