What Oldham Sixth Form College does

Oldham Sixth Form College (OSFC) is a state-funded further education institution located at Union Street West, Oldham OL8 1XU in Greater Manchester, England, operating continuously since 1992 under the governance of The Pinnacle Learning Trust. The college serves 16-19-year-olds in the Oldham area and offers four main qualification pathways: A Level (40+ subjects, assessment primarily by examination), Vocational (BTEC/CAMTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications, ~80% coursework), Blended (mixed assessment across up to three subjects), and T Level (classroom learning plus a mandatory 45-day industry placement in Digital Production Design & Development, Health, or Science). Beyond core qualifications, OSFC runs an Xtras enrichment programme of more than 50 activities including the Oxbridge Group, Aspiring Medics, Aspiring Lawyers, Rugby Academy, and the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, plus a Live and Recorded Arts Specialist Programme with extended mentoring.

OSFC's technology stack consists of conventional educational infrastructure. Core systems include Student and Staff Portals hosted on Microsoft Azure with OAuth 2.0 single sign-on via Microsoft Entra ID, the CEDAR learning management system, the Gateway parent/student records portal, Parent Pay for fee processing, and Google Mail. Creative and technical programmes use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Soundtrap and Flat (cloud music tools), DSLR photography, Wacom/Cintiq tablets, and a laser cutter, with the website delivered via Greenhouse School Websites CMS conforming to WCAG 2.2 accessibility. Industry and academic partnerships (University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Cisco, Royal Society of Chemistry, National Theatre, Airwalk Reply, Oldham RLFC, Phoenix Dance Youth Academy, The Blair Project, Nuffield Foundation) feed enrichment, masterclasses, mentoring, and progression pipelines.

OSFC is a non-profit, government-funded college. Tuition is free for eligible 16-18-year-olds, with revenue primarily from per-student ESFA funding; ancillary income sources include facility lettings and adult education. The college recruits through a direct-to-consumer model, including open events, taster days, school outreach across Greater Manchester, and a website funnel supplemented by social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X). OSFC does not disclose revenue, has no funding rounds, and operates as a single-campus institution under multi-academy trust governance.

Name

Oldham Sixth Form College

Legal name

Oldham Sixth Form College

Website

https://osfc.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Oldham Sixth Form College is a state-funded further education institution in Oldham, Greater Manchester, serving 16-18-year-olds via A Level (40+ subjects), Vocational, Blended, and T Level pathways, supported by an extensive Xtras enrichment programme and operating under The Pinnacle Learning Trust.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oldham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education: As a state sixth form college, OSFC receives government funding for students aged 16-18. Education is free for eligible students. Additional revenue may come from adult education, facility lettings, and ancillary services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Oldham Sixth Form College is a state-funded further education institution in Oldham, Greater Manchester, delivering post-16 education to 16-19-year-olds. It offers four academic pathways: A Level (40+ subjects, exam-based), Vocational (80% coursework-based, BTEC/CAMTEC/OCR), Blended (mix of A Level and vocational), and T Level (classroom learning plus 45-day industry placement). Enrichment is delivered through the Xtras programme, with specialist strands in performing arts, sport (Rugby Academy), and the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Product overview

Oldham Sixth Form College offers a comprehensive Further Education portfolio comprising four main pathways: A Level (40+ subjects, exam-based), Vocational (career-focused with 80% coursework), Blended (mixed assessment), and T Levels (industry placement-based). The college provides digital services including Student and Staff Portals with Microsoft SSO, CEDAR LMS, Gateway parent portal, and Google Mail integration. Enrichment programs include the Xtras programme (50+ activities), Live and Recorded Arts Specialist Programme, Rugby Academy partnership, and Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Creative courses utilize Adobe creative software, Soundtrap and Flat for music, with industry partnerships for work placements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A Level Pathway Academic programme offering over 40 A Level subjects for students aged 16-18, with four subjects typically studied in Year 12. Assessment is primarily examination-based (70-100% exams depending on subject) and provides a route to Russell Group universities and competitive courses.
• Vocational Programme Career-focused programme with 80% coursework assessment covering Applied Science (BTEC), Art and Design (CAMTEC), Business BTEC, Health and Social Care (OCR Cambridge Technical), IT (CAMTEC), Performing Arts, Sport, and Travel and Tourism. Offered as Level 3 Diploma (equivalent to 2 A Levels) or Extended Diploma (equivalent to 3 A Levels).
• Blended Pathway Hybrid programme combining examination and coursework assessment. Allows students to study up to 3 subjects including single diplomas, double diplomas, and A Levels, with optional work experience.
• T Level Pathway Industry-focused qualification combining classroom learning with a mandatory 45-day industry placement. Available in Digital Production Design & Development, Health, and Science. Designed to provide direct career preparation and sector-specific skills.
• Xtras Enrichment Programme Enrichment programme with over 50 activities including academic societies (Oxbridge Group, Varsity Programme), sports, creative arts (College Production, Film Club), vocational awards (Duke of Edinburgh Gold, First Aid), and career-focused programmes (Aspiring Medics, Aspiring Lawyers).
• Live and Recorded Arts Specialist Programme Specialist creative arts pathway combining Performing Arts CAMTEC with options from Drama, Dance, BTEC Music, Film, Media, Photography, Sociology, English, and History. Includes London residential, industry mentoring until age 25, and enrichment activities.
• Rugby Academy Elite rugby development programme in partnership with Oldham RLFC, SportsTown, and Oldham College. Provides coaching, strength and conditioning, and competitive match opportunities alongside academic studies.
• Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Licensed DofE Centre offering the Gold Level award with five sections: new skill, physical activity, volunteering, camping expedition, and four-day residential. All Xtras courses contribute towards award sections.
• Student Portal Online student portal for accessing academic records, course materials, and college services via Microsoft Entra ID authentication.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successful university applications to Russell Group universities including Oxford and Cambridge
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Pinnacle Learning TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSFC is a proud member of The Pinnacle Learning Trust, a family of outstanding academies. The trust provides governance, shared resources, and strategic direction for its member institutions.
• Oldham Rugby League Football Club (RLFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the Rugby Educational Pathways Provision, providing elite rugby coaching, strength and conditioning, and competitive opportunities while students pursue academic studies at OSFC.
• SportsTownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in the Rugby Educational Pathways Provision, connecting OSFC with local sports development initiatives.
• Oldham CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in the Rugby Educational Pathways Provision, allowing students to pursue any educational pathway while benefiting from the rugby development programme.
• Phoenix Dance Youth AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration providing Dance students exclusive access to workshops, events, and industry talks from the UK's leading contemporary dance company outside London.
• Airwalk ReplyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership for The Leadership Academy and The Programming Academy. Airwalk Reply provides IT solutions for HSBC, Mastercard, Lloyds Banking and mentors students in Python programming and leadership skills.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Loreto Sixth Form College: Independent Catholic sixth form college in Manchester offering A Levels and BTECs to 16-19 year olds. Direct competitor in the Greater Manchester sixth form market with comparable academic and vocational pathway structure.
• Xaverian College: Catholic sixth form college in Manchester serving 16-19 year olds with a broad A Level and BTEC curriculum. Operates in the same Greater Manchester catchment with similar university-preparation focus.
• Aquinas College: Sixth form college in Stockport (Greater Manchester) offering A Levels and vocational qualifications to post-16 students. Closely comparable in size, mission, and student demographic to OSFC.
• Trafford College Group: Greater Manchester further education college group offering A Levels, vocational, and T Level pathways to post-16 learners. Comparable FE-sector peer with overlapping curriculum and geographic reach.
• Hopwood Hall College: Further education college in Rochdale/Middleton serving 16-18 and adult learners with vocational and academic pathways. Regional FE peer competing for the same North Manchester applicant pool.
• Bury College: Further education college in Bury, Greater Manchester, offering A Levels, vocational, and T Level pathways to post-16 students. Comparable regional FE peer with similar curriculum mix and student demographic.
• Tameside College (formerly Ashton Sixth Form College): Greater Manchester further education college offering A Levels and vocational pathways to 16-19 year olds. Historical sixth form college now operating as FE provider, comparable in mission and catchment.
• Rochdale Sixth Form College: State-funded sixth form college in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, serving 16-19 year olds with A Level and vocational pathways. Immediate geographic peer competing for similar Oldham-adjacent applicants.

Broad incumbents

• The Manchester College: Largest FE college in Greater Manchester, part of the LTE Group, offering A Levels, vocational, T Levels, and adult education across multiple campuses. Broader incumbent with overlapping provision but wider remit and scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/osfc_info
• Facebookfacebook.com/OldhamSixthFormCollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/osfc_info

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oldham Sixth Form College