City of Oxford College - Oxford

RBG 1.

Attended a clearing and enrolment session with my son and his friend.
Everyone was welcoming and friendly with the exception of one lady who initially did the clearing and pre-enrolment. She was incredibly patronising and rude and not someone that fills any new student with much confidence. She also lacked all of the knowledge of the course that my son was interested in and almost mocked him for not getting the GCSE results to be able to do anything of a high level. We were already aware of the courses on offer before today and the one chosen was based on the availability suited to my son's qualifications etc.
Fortunately, the day was saved by the very helpful teams around the campus, especially the enrolment team.
Aside from the one individual the college is set in a good environment and I believe my son will enjoy his time here.

Update - my son has since left the college due to poorly organised and inadequate teaching staff.
In a short space of time there were many occasions where teachers didn't turn up on time or at all, no substitute teachers to still ensure lessons went ahead, late starts, early finishes etc. The communication was appalling on most of the occasions and when teacher's weren't available my son was left either doing word searches or making things unrelated to his course.
Extremely unimpressed and kind of knew it would be this way given the poor enrolment and onboarding process.

Mrs D.

Really really negative experience today with Amy re taking A levels at the college. There was no point attending clearing in person as Amy didn't seem able to consider that a student is anything more than the numbers on a sheet of paper! This year is the first year that does not take the impact of COVID into consideration despite it having a massive impact on years 7&8. Instead of compiling a list of interested students who may gain a place on their chosen course through the clearing process, Amy just wants to get bums on seats and funds in pockets by advising students to literally take any course available, even if it is of no interest to them.

Exams are not a full reflection of a students ability. Perhaps liaising with a students former headteacher would give more insight. Just as the college website will show you the college in the way they want to be perceived; I think the 3.3 star rating, certain staff attitudes and the chaotic "processing" of a queue of less than 100 people, speaks volumes.

If you want your child to be seen as a cash cow as opposed to an enthusiastic individual with limitless potential (in the hands of passionate teachers) send them here 👍

I feel crushed after my interaction with Amy and can only imagine how many students are coming home today feeling deflated and dissilusioned after being told that passing every single one of your GCSE's means nothing.

Emma M.

I want to express my disappointment and upset with your college at which my daughter is a student. This is her first year in self learning education after leaving school and eagerly wanting to excel in college. When I attended the open day I listened to the head and tutors explain how this college provides exceptional education and goes above and beyond to support students in their career journey. I am so disappointed in how it is run and the staffing shortages. She is constantly being emailed (last minute) and told that her tutors are not well or they have family issues. This is totally unacceptable, she is now extremely concerned she will not have had enough guidance to complete her two year course. This should have been the most exciting start to her career and instead she is nervous, unsure and feels unsupported. How are students supposed to keep attendance up and motivated when the tutors rarely show up.
I will share my feedback on Google as I really don’t want other parents to be in the position I am next year. This is just not good enough.

Sol P.

Terribly ran, constant teacher absences, low quality education. Was very let down as was presented as a very good college to me. Extremely disappointed and almost put off by my subject choice due to bad teachers.

Семен ?.

Learn English, learn something new, sit in a cafe or in the yard, buy something in a shop or make new friends - you can do it all at City of Oxford College!

Pablo I. P.

City of Oxford College, under its lamentable management, transformed my BTEC Level 3 journey into a debacle. Initially promising, the abrupt change in leadership resulted in chaos — dismissing all teachers and altering crucial course elements with a mere two months left. Communication ceased, assignments remained ungraded, and, astonishingly, my grades vanished post-course. Aidan Arnold, the purported manager, not only proved useless but dismissive in the face of evidence. Attempts to address the issue in person were thwarted by uncooperative receptionists. City of Oxford College, under its current management, is an educational catastrophe.

Ana S.

Excellent centre for opportunity and learning! I finished my Access to Science HE course in 2015 with a overall distinction thanks to Allison and Christine who are wonderful leaders/teachers. Make sure to visit on one of the open days before joining the college to make sure it is right for you, pick up a prospectus and ask as many questions as possible.

Sean G.

Unfortunately it's been a very stressful start of course, no information upfront, registration was in 3 different parts of the school and apparently the letter invited us on the wrong day. Asked about adding a GCSE onto the course at every opportunity, everyone has said I can, no one knows how or when- 3 weeks after starting I have only had a teacher show me a list of days and times it is on.

The failings are because it seems the teachers are also doing the admissions, there is a lack of clarity/ there is not an expert admissions role and therefore confusion has been thread through every step.

Access course: Business.
Teachers: Good/ uncaring in places
School administration and organisation: Offensively bad
Recommend to a friend: No Way, would actively advise not to go there, and wish I had listened to the reviews I read whilst planning courses.