This week, our St Albans campus was alive with energy, pride, and inspiration as our yearly Festival of Achievement took place.

On Monday night we proudly hosted the Oaklands Training & Development Employer and Apprenticeships Celebration Event 2025; a truly special evening filled with celebration, connection, and community spirit.

This week, our Barbering students put their skills to the test in a timed competition at the Welwyn Garden City campus, as we college hosted our first annual Barber Battle in the i-Collaborate space.

This year’s End-of-Year Art and Fashion Show was a resounding success, showcasing the remarkable talent, dedication, and hard work of our art and fashion students.

Oaklands College proudly hosted the World School Games today, welcoming schools from across the local area for a fun-filled day of sport and activity. Young students took part in a variety of sporting sessions led by Oaklands coaches and supported by college students. Activities included karate, cycling, and football, giving pupils the chance to try something new in a friendly and inclusive environment. The World School Games is always a highlight on the calendar — a lovely, lively event that brings the community together through sport. It not only gives young children the chance to build confidence and learn new skills, but also allows Oaklands students to take on leadership roles and inspire the next generation. A brilliant day for all involved, reinforcing the power of sport to unite, uplift, and connect the local community.

This weekend the Wolfpack competed at the annual Hertfordshire County Schools championships at the local venue of Jarman Park, Hemel Hempstead. With a total of 6 medals, the team had a very strong showing in the u20 category.

We are excited to announce our brand-new, Industry Standard Nursery at our Welwyn Garden City Campus – a dynamic learning environment designed to give students first-hand experience in Early Years Care and Education.

The Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy is proud to celebrate an achievement as former student John Bennett has been selected to represent the Wales Men’s Senior Squad for the Nations Cup in Malaysia.

In a remarkable show of determination and compassion, Art, Fashion, and Design students packed an astounding 1,298 boxes during their 25-hour 'Packathon' in partnership with Goods for Good.

Oaklands College proudly hosted the launch of Oaklands Connect this June — a brand-new employer networking series designed to bring local and regional businesses together to share ideas, spark collaboration, and explore workforce development opportunities.

Watford-based crisis response charity, Goods for Good, has been named as Oaklands official charity partner for 2025–2026.

Former Oaklands College student Gus Scott-Morriss etched his name into Southend United folklore by scoring the decisive penalty in a thrilling National League play-off semi-final against Forest Green Rovers, propelling the Shrimpers to the final at Wembley Stadium.

Oaklands College is proud to unveil a brand-new Health Clinic at its Welwyn Garden City Campus - a cutting-edge facility designed to provide students with hands-on experience in real-world healthcare environments.

The Oaklands Wolves have officially brought their sensational 2024/25 SLBW campaign to a close; and what a season it’s been. The Wolfpack walk away as SLBW Trophy winners and League champions, marking a landmark year for the programme and cementing their place among the elite in women’s basketball.

Oaklands Wolves face Sheffield Hatters in the SLB Play-off Final at the O2 Arena. Can Wolves complete the treble in their historic season, or will Hatters reclaim their dominance? Full match preview and key stats.

After the fantastic success of our last Karate Camp, we’re thrilled to be bringing it back this Monday 27th May for another high-energy day of martial arts excellence.

We are proud to announce that Oaklands has been awarded a £1.7 million contract to deliver Skills Bootcamps across Hertfordshire - a transformative step in our mission to equip the local workforce with the future-ready skills that employers need most. This investment confirms our position as the largest provider of Skills Bootcamps in Hertfordshire, and reflects our deep commitment to supporting learners, businesses, and the wider regional economy.

Congratulations to Eve Jones, a student on the Supported Internship programme within our LIFE provision, who has secured employment at The Speckled Hen pub following a highly successful work placement.

Our Men’s Football U19s PM squad lifted the ECFA London Championship trophy with an emphatic 5-0 win against Capital City College.

For the first time in club history, the Oaklands Wolves Women’s Basketball Team have made it to the Playoff Finals – and they’ll be stepping onto the biggest stage in British Basketball at The O2, London, on Sunday, 18th May!

Oaklands Wolves are one step away from completing a Super League Basketball treble after winning a thrilling play-off semi-final 69-65 against Caledonia Gladiators, on Saturday.

We were absolutely blown away by the turnout at this year’s Lambing Weekend – our biggest and best yet! Held at the St Albans Campus, the event welcomed thousands of visitors across two sun-filled days, all coming to experience the magic of springtime on the farm.

Oaklands Wolves head coach has underlined the magnitude of this weekend’s fixture, calling Saturday’s play-off semi-final against Caledonia Gladiators the biggest game of the season – and the final chance for fans to see the team at home.

Sixteen talented players from the Oaklands Wolves Women’s Rugby Academy, part of the Saracens Pathway, have taken a major step forward in their rugby careers after successfully completing the prestigious England Rugby Coaching Award (ERCA).

We are proud to have hosted one of the Skill Build 2025 Regional Qualifiers today, in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Go Construct.

As the nation pauses to mark Victory in Europe (VE) Day, Oaklands College reflects with pride and solemn remembrance on its unique and active role during the Second World War.

A strong finish helped the Oaklands Wolves move a step closer to a Super League treble as they defeated Leicester Riders 74-62 on Saturday to book their place in the play-off semi-finals.

On Wednesday 30th of April, Oaklands College hosted its inaugural Employer Workforce Training & Skills Summit 2025, bringing together local employers, industry experts, and training providers to explore the region’s most pressing workforce challenges.

Oaklands Wolves head coach Lee Ryan is targeting a Super League Basketball treble after securing the regular season title with an 88–64 win over Leicester Riders. With the play-offs approaching, Ryan is urging focus as the Wolves prepare to host the Riders again this Saturday. A strong team performance, including contributions from younger players and standout displays from Abigail Rafferty and Sam Ashby, has set the stage for their push for the play-off crown.

We are proud to share that Oaklands College has made remarkable progress according to the latest Department for Education National Achievement Rate Tables (NARTs) for 2023–24.

Oaklands College has proudly played host to an exciting and high-level International Football Tournament, held over five weekends at its St Albans Campus.

Oaklands Wolves Basketball is gearing up for what promises to be its biggest youth intake yet, as it opens trials for the 2025/26 Junior National Basketball League season.

We are extremely proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Film & TV student, Luke Bates, who is currently in discussions with a major streaming platform to release his debut feature film, Dark Minds.

It was a proud and victorious weekend for Oaklands Wolves Karate Academy as our athletes delivered standout performances at the English Karate National Championships.

Oaklands Wolves are Crowned SLBW Champions after a dominant win over London Lions!

Three players from the Oaklands Saracens Academy – Lily Pereira dos Santos, Isabel van der Straaten, and Jess Taylor – have received international call-ups to represent England in the U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival. | Photo by Saracens Women

A team that never looked likely to take to the court finished the season in style as Oaklands Wolves U-12 girls wrapped up their campaign with a pair of wins over the weekend.

Oaklands College proudly represented the East Region at this year’s AoC Sport National Championships, with student-athletes from Hockey, Netball, and Basketball stepping up to compete against the best college teams from across the country.

Wolves finished as runners-up in the England Colleges RFU Cup after a 31-31 draw with Cardinal Newman School, based near Brighton on the south coast. The final was played at Walsall Rugby Club and ended in dramatic fashion, with the result decided by the countback rule.

This week, our Level 2 Business learners hosted a dynamic Sustainability Exhibition where they showcased their innovative ideas to promote sustainability within the college community.

Are you looking for a fresh start or considering a new career direction? Our AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) courses could be the perfect stepping stone to upskill yourself and gain a globally recognised qualification in Accounting.

Saracens ACE is celebrating a proud moment as 1st Year student Abdoul Bantango has earned his first international cap for Italy U18. Bantango featured in Italy’s clash against Wales U18, which took place in L'Aquila over the weekend.

Three of our academies will travel to Nottingham this weekend to compete in the prestigious AOC National Finals, having secured their places through a series of outstanding performances in their respective regional competitions.

Oaklands Wolves are again celebrating as three of their junior teams followed in the footsteps of the their Super League Women's Cup winning team by clinching league titles.

David Banks and Keith Truett, former Agriculture students of Oaklands College, returned to campus to reminisce about their time at the College and reflect on their successful careers in agriculture. David, who studied at the College in the 1960s, went on to a career in agricultural sales, while Keith, a graduate from the 1980s, became a successful farm manager and now works as a consultant agronomist.

Amalie Mynott-Smith, a 16-year-old student at Oaklands College, is proving that dedication and passion can go hand in hand. Currently in her first year studying Motor Vehicle Level 2, Amalie is also an enthusiastic member of the Oaklands Wolves Cheerleading Academy.

Our Barbering students have been providing free haircuts at the Howard Centre in Welwyn Garden City and are continuing this initiative every Friday from 1:30pm to 5pm until the end of May.

Former Oaklands College student Mohamed Sesay, known as “Mo the Clipper King,” has experienced a remarkable rise in the barbering world since qualifying last year.

Our highly anticipated Makeup and Hair Showcase brought together the exceptional talents of Level 2, 3, and 4 Media Makeup students, along with Level 4 Hair students, for an impressive display of skill and artistry.

Oaklands College celebrates the grand opening of its new High-Performance Centre, a space dedicated to developing student-athletes. The event featured inspiring speakers, a Q&A panel with staff, alumni, and students, and a strong message about the college’s commitment to sport, personal growth, and high-performance culture.

At Oaklands Training & Development, we understand the real challenges employers are facing when it comes to recruiting and retaining skilled staff. That’s why we’re inviting businesses from across Hertfordshire, North London, and the South East to join us for a free Employer Summit focused on workforce development and future skills.

Discover Access to Higher Education (HE) courses - a fast-track, one year qualification designed for adults who want to progress to university without traditional academic qualifications.

Last weekend was a significant success for Oaklands Wolves Head Coach Simon Archer and Assistant Coach Sholto, as they led Hertfordshire’s U17 boys and girls hockey teams to victory in the highly competitive East Region Hockey Tournament.

A dream that came true. On Sunday, 9th March, Oaklands Wolves SLBW were crowned SLB Cup champions after an emphatic win over Sheffield Hatters at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.

The School Games Dance Festival brought together young performers from across the county in a vibrant celebration of creativity and environmental awareness, as students took to the stage to express powerful messages about sustainability through dance.

Our Art, Fashion & Design students recently embarked on an incredible educational trip to Florence, Italy, to gather inspiration for their final major project.

Oaklands College is excited to announce the launch of Oaklands Training & Development, a new division dedicated to equipping businesses and individuals with the skills needed for a rapidly evolving workforce.

Grace Foster has been crowned EKF Kyu Grade National Champion, securing gold in the 18+ -61kg 3rd Kyu and Above category at the English Karate Federation (EKF) National Championships. This competition is recognised as an intermediate-level division, making her achievement more impressive.

It was a weekend of remarkable achievements for two first-year athletes from our athletics academy, as Godwin Mutwanda and Gracelynne Agyepong delivered standout performances on the national and international stage.

Local sustainable clothing brand Tommy & Lottie, The Pioneer Club and Oaklands College, have come together to raise awareness about wild animals and their natural habitats which are under threat from climate change.

Oaklands College proudly hosted our first-ever parkrun event this Saturday, drawing an impressive crowd of over 250 runners, walkers, and volunteers to our scenic campus. The weekly event, which is free and open to all, marked the beginning of a new community tradition centred around health, fitness, and togetherness.

T Levels are innovative vocational qualifications equivalent to three A Levels. These two-year qualifications focus on preparing students for the workplace, further education, or apprenticeships.

Last Sunday, the 2025 National Cyclocross Championships at Cyclopark, Kent, put riders through their paces with temperatures plummeting to freezing -2°C conditions at the start of the Junior Men’s race. Despite the adversity, Oaklands Wolves athletes delivered standout performances.

Step into the world of Oaklands Wolves Men’s Football Academy, where a legacy of excellence meets unparalleled success, including five professional contracts secured in just five years.

Oaklands Wolves SLBW secured a landmark victory on Saturday, 7th December, defeating Essex Rebels 99-68 in the Betty Codona Trophy semi-final at the Wolf Den.

For the second consecutive year, our Hockey Academy and for the fourth year running, our Netball Academy, have both secured spots at the Nationals.

Liam, who joined us this July as Elites Head Coach, has been appointed Head Coach for one of Great Britain’s youth basketball teams - a remarkable milestone in his 15-year coaching journey.

This week, Daisy Cooper MP joined us to cut the ribbon for the official opening of our multi-million-pound, state-of-the-art Construction Centre.

NHS Academy professionals inspired Oaklands Health and Social Care students, showcasing diverse NHS careers and offering hands-on learning through Speed Meet sessions and presentations on essential healthcare roles.

Applied and Forensic Science students joined MHRA workshops, exploring vaccine testing, DNA extraction, and lab techniques while gaining career-ready skills from expert professionals.

Oaklands Wolves Alumnus makes his 100th professional appearance for Southend United.

Oaklands College hosted expert Peter Burley for a seminar and battlefield tour, exploring St Albans’ pivotal role in the Wars of the Roses.

Oaklands College students visited VolkerFitzPatrick's Radlett site, learning about sustainable construction, railway development, and project planning through presentations and team exercises, enhancing their T Level DSP qualifications.

some interesting facts

During the recent half-term break, five talented hospitality and catering students from Oaklands College had the unique opportunity to showcase their skills at an exclusive event marking the 40th anniversary of The Shining.

Oaklands College is delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Bronze accreditation from Hedgehog Friendly Campus. This esteemed national award scheme, part-funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, aims to protect hedgehogs, enhance their habitat, and raise awareness about their needs.

Oaklands College is excited to announce that we will be working in partnership with edtech company Mindful Education to deliver award-winning courses in AAT Accounting & Bookkeeping.

Oaklands is excited to unveil a digital archive featuring documents and photos that highlight over a century of milestones.

Oaklands St Albans campus transformation is advancing rapidly. Since March, major progress has been made on the £62 million project, bringing us closer to completing cutting-edge facilities for students and the community.

Are you interested in making a difference right from your doorstep? Oaklands is proud to introduce our Homestay Programme, a new initiative that brings our academies students and the St Albans community closer together.

Oaklands College proudly hosted the annual Herts School Games Celebration event, drawing in approximately 600 young participants from across Hertfordshire. The day was a vibrant showcase of youth talent, teamwork and the spirit of sportsmanship.

Recently, our St Albans campus transformed its grounds into a vibrant celebration of family fun and entertainment as we hosted the highly anticipated Oakfest. The festival, now a beloved annual tradition, drew an impressive crowd of 2,151 attendees, all eager to partake in the diverse array of activities we had organised.

Oaklands College hosted its end-of-year fashion show, attracting over 300 attendees, including High Sheriff Annie Brewster and local councillors.

Oaklands College proudly hosted its Festival of Achievement Week from June 24th to June 27th, welcoming students, parents and carers to celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of the outstanding students at Oaklands.

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that one of our talented students, Amelia, is taking a major step in her football and academic journey!

George Walker, 19, Oaklands alumnus and current head of development, led his Herts U13 girls squad, comprised of 10 Oaklands Wolves players, to their first victory in 12 years at the Basketball England East Region Inter-counties tournament. His staff included two Oaklands Wolves coaches, Catlin Ryan and Graham Roberts.

Oaklands College recently hosted the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire's Garden Party, marking a significant event in the college’s calendar.

Oaklands College recently celebrated a major milestone with the Construction Development Ceremony, marking progress on the new Construction Centre. The event showcased advancements, offering a glimpse into the campus's future.

The College is excited to announce that most building work for our new Construction Hub will finish by autumn 2024.