EMBS Community College

EMBS Community College EMBS provides education, training and careers advice to young people (aged 16 to 18) and adults.

The EMBS (Ethnic Minority Business Service), an initiative of Oxfordshire Ethnic Minorities Enterprise Developments Ltd. was established in1988 with the aim to improve the economic situation of ethnic minority communities in Oxfordshire by skills enhancement through training, and by start-up and development of businesses owned by people from those communities. EMBS provides training for the unemployed, learning services for both adult and young people (16-18) and business counselling and courses for the local community. EMBS is well known for actively reaching out to local minority ethnic communities and working in partnership. It is funded through a range of national funding bodies such as Skills Funding Agency, Oxfordshire County Council, Next Step, Young Peoples’ Learning Agency, European Integration Fund, Oxford Cherwell Valley College and Oxford Brookes University. EMBS offers a variety of courses including ESOL, Literacy, Numeracy, ITQ, ECDL, Business Start-up, Bookkeeping, pre-CSCS, Driving theory, and Sewing, in two centres in Oxford and Banbury. EMBS was awarded LSIS Beacon status in 2010 and achieved Ofsted Outstanding across the board in 2008/2009.

30/09/2026

✨ Celebrating 27 incredible years at EMBS! ✨

Today was a very special day as we came together to celebrate a much-loved and valued member of the EMBS family, Azmat, as she begins her well-deserved retirement after an incredible 27 years of service. ❤️

From teaching ESOL and sewing classes to supporting community engagement, Azmat has worn many hats during her time at EMBS. Through it all, her dedication to our learners, colleagues and wider community has remained at the heart of everything she has done.

27 years is an amazing milestone, and we are incredibly grateful for everything Azmat has contributed to EMBS. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her every happiness as she begins this exciting new chapter. 💐

A huge thank you to Nazia and the Banbury team for hosting such a warm and heartfelt celebration, to for the stunning décor 🎈 and for the beautiful cake 🎂 for entertaining everyone and for the incredible art portraits!

And finally, thank you to our staff, students, Trustees and wider EMBS community who joined us to celebrate this wonderful milestone. ❤️

🎥 Enjoy today’s highlights… but there’s more to come!
Keep an eye on our page as we’ll be sharing a closer look at Azmat’s special celebration very soon. 👀✨

Happy retirement, Azmat and thank you for 27 wonderful years! 🌷❤️

25/09/2026

🎓✨ Exploring what comes next at UCAS Discovery!

Our Year 2 students from EMBS Banbury Sixth Form headed to Stadium MK in Milton Keynes with our teaching team to experience UCAS Discovery Bedford 2026.

UCAS Discovery gives students the opportunity to explore their options after college, meet universities, colleges and apprenticeship providers, ask questions about courses and entry requirements, and learn more about the UCAS application process.

It was a really successful day for our students! 🙌

From discovering different university courses to speaking directly with representatives, the experience helped our students think more clearly about where they want to go, what they want to study and the steps they need to take to get there. 🎯

At EMBS, preparing students for their next steps is an important part of their journey. Experiences like this help turn ideas into plans and give our students the confidence and information they need to start building their own pathway after Sixth Form. 💙

A big thank you to our Banbury Sixth Form team for supporting our students throughout the day!

🎓 Explore your options. Plan your pathway. Take your next step.

23/09/2026

👋 LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF!

Meet some of the amazing faces behind EMBS Community College

Welcome to Banbury Sixth Form! 🎓✨

Our Banbury team are all about creating a welcoming, supportive and friendly environment where students can feel comfortable, be themselves and get the encouragement they need to learn, grow and succeed. 💛 They’re also a fun, friendly bunch who bring plenty of energy, laughter and personality to college life! 😄

So… who’s who? 👀

👋 Meet Nazia Kusar – Head of Sixth Form, member of the Senior Leadership Team and Head of Operations and Exams in Banbury
📊 Meet Jo Darvell – Business Teacher
💙 Meet Hayley Stevenson– Health & Social Care Teacher
📚 Meet Vicky Carlo– English Teacher
➗ Meet Andy Bedlow- Maths Teacher
💻 And meet Joe Woods– Systems & Compliance Officer

They’re just some of the brilliant people who help make our Banbury Sixth Form what it is, supportive, approachable and always ready to have a bit of fun!

Now you can finally put some faces to the names! 😄

But we’re not finished yet… 👀

🏠 Keep your eyes peeled as we introduce you to the team at The Banbury Loft next!

Coming to a screen near you soon… 🎬✨

📩 DM us with any questions or enquiries about EMBS Banbury Sixth Form.

18/09/2026

👋 Welcome to EMBS Adult Learning in Oxford!

📍 Based at Barns Road, Oxford, our Adult Learning provision is here to help you build your skills, grow in confidence and take positive steps towards your future.

🎥 Meet Robbie, our Admissions & Student Support Officer, and Aysin, our Head of Adult Learning Manager, as they tell you more about our Adult Learning provision and how EMBS can support you throughout your learning journey.

Whether you’re returning to education, looking to improve your English or Maths, gain qualifications or simply build your confidence, our team is here to help.

📚 Our Adult Learning provision includes:
• ESOL from Pre-Entry level upwards
• Functional Skills English & Maths
• Day and evening classes to help you fit learning around your lifestyle and commitments
• 1-to-1 English classes, tailored to your individual level and learning needs
• Support with confidence and communication skills
• Guidance to help you progress to your next level of learning

At EMBS, we recognise that every learner starts from a different place. We’ll work with you to understand your current level, your goals and what you would like to achieve next.

✨ Want to find out which course is right for you?

Book an appointment with Robbie, our Admissions & Student Support Officer, to discuss your options and find the right level and pathway for you.

📧 [email protected]

Whether you want to improve your English, gain qualifications, build your confidence or continue your learning journey — your next step can start here. 🌟

📍 EMBS Community College – Adult Learning, 213B Barns Road, Oxford.

Ethics • Mastery • Belonging • Support

17/09/2026

👋 Welcome to EMBS Adult Learning in Oxford!

📍 Based at Barns Road, Oxford, our Adult Learning provision is here to help you build your skills, grow in confidence and take positive steps towards your future.

🎥 Meet Robbie, our Admissions & Student Support Officer, and Aysin, our Head of Adult Learning Manager, as they tell you more about our Adult Learning provision and how EMBS can support you throughout your learning journey.

Whether you’re returning to education, looking to improve your English or Maths, gain qualifications or simply build your confidence, our team is here to help.

📚 Our Adult Learning provision includes:
• ESOL from Pre-Entry level upwards
• Functional Skills English & Maths
• Day and evening classes to help you fit learning around your lifestyle and commitments
• 1-to-1 English classes, tailored to your individual level and learning needs
• Support with confidence and communication skills
• Guidance to help you progress to your next level of learning

At EMBS, we recognise that every learner starts from a different place. We’ll work with you to understand your current level, your goals and what you would like to achieve next.

✨ Want to find out which course is right for you?

Book an appointment with Robbie, our Admissions & Student Support Officer, to discuss your options and find the right level and pathway for you.

📧 [email protected]

Whether you want to improve your English, gain qualifications, build your confidence or continue your learning journey, your next step can start here. 🌟

📍 EMBS Community College, Adult Learning, 213B Barns Road, Oxford.

Ethics • Mastery • Belonging • Support

EnglishClasses

🌍 Celebrate. Connect. Eat! 🍳❤️ Calling all EMBS Students! International Peace Day is here! Join our Year 2 Health & Soci...
15/09/2026

🌍 Celebrate. Connect. Eat! 🍳❤️ Calling all EMBS Students!

International Peace Day is here!

Join our Year 2 Health & Social Care students for a special FREE breakfast, cooked by students for students.

📅 Monday 21st September
⏰ 8:45am–9:15am
📍 EMBS Community College, Calder Close, Banbury

Come along, enjoy a delicious breakfast and start the day by celebrating peace, respect, kindness and unity with your fellow students. 🥐🍓☕️

All students are welcome- don’t miss out! 🌍🕊️

09/09/2026

🌟 FROM C/D GRADES TO A ⭐️ Grades
⭐️IBRAHIM’S JOURNEY* 🌟

This morning, our EMBS Banbury students had the pleasure of welcoming Ibrahim, a Guest Speaker and Aspiring Barrister, who joined us to share his inspiring educational journey and an important message about what can happen when you decide to take your education seriously.

Ibrahim spoke openly about starting out as a C/D grade GCSE student and the point at which he decided he wanted more for his future. Through determination, discipline and a lot of hard work, he transformed his approach to education, went on to achieve A grades* in 4 A Levels and began building the future he had set his sights on.

Today, Ibrahim is a final-year Law student at the University of Birmingham, taking him another step closer to his ambition of becoming a barrister. 🎓⚖️

His journey was a powerful reminder to our students that success isn’t always about where you start, it’s about the choices you make, the work you put in and where you are determined to go.

💬 “Your starting point doesn’t determine where you finish.”

A huge thank you to Ibrahim Assani for taking the time to visit EMBS Banbury and share his story with our students. It was fantastic to hear about your journey, the challenges you have overcome and the lessons you have learned along the way. We look forward to welcoming you to our Oxford Sixth-form soon!

We wish you every success in your final year and as you continue working towards your dream of becoming a barrister! 👏

Ethics • Mastery • Belonging • Support

30/08/2026

🎓 Learning, Growing & Preparing Together at EMBS 💙

A glimpse behind the scenes of our staff and teacher training days as Team EMBS gets ready to welcome our students back for another academic year! 📚✨

Our training days are an important opportunity for staff to come together, develop their skills, share ideas and prepare for the year ahead. We also made time for some well-deserved team bonding at the beautiful Blenheim Palace, strengthening the relationships that help make EMBS the supportive community it is. 🌿🏛️

At the heart of EMBS are the values that guide everything we do:

✨ Ethics
🎯 Mastery
🤝 Belonging
💙 Support

These values shape the way we work together and the environment we create for our learners, one where individuals are respected, included, encouraged and supported to achieve their ambitions.

As we prepare for the return of our staff and students, we’re looking forward to another year of learning, development, opportunities and achievement across EMBS Community College.

📍 Oxford & Banbury

We’re ready for the new academic year and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back! 💙

Address

213B Barns Road
Oxford
OX43UT

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447737816471

Website

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