Crime & Safety
Oxfordshire private school launches new scheme to help pupils
Amy Prior, head of first form at Cokethorpe School, has highlighted the importance of prioritising strong relationships and emotional wellbeing to ensure a smooth and confident start for pupils.
The day school has developed a structured integration programme designed to support pupils entering Year 7, which bosses say will ensure they feel connected before the academic year begins.
Mrs Prior said: “Friendships are the single most important factor for children at this age.
“If a child feels settled and connected, they are far more likely to thrive both socially and academically.”
Rather than beginning with a traditional first day in the classroom, new pupils take part in an overnight camp.
Delivered by outdoor education specialists, the experience includes team building activities.
“The aim is to gently push pupils outside their comfort zones,” Mrs Prior added.
“They arrive not knowing many people, but leave having formed connections and understanding who their support network is.”
With pupils joining from both the prep school and a wide range of external schools, activities are structured to encourage new friendships and prevent existing social groups from dominating, staff say.
Small tutor groups, typically fewer than 10 pupils, enable staff to build a detailed understanding of each child. Combined with close communication between tutors and pastoral leaders, this allows for early identification of concerns.
“Every small detail matters,” said Mrs Prior. “We build a picture over time so we can step in early if needed.”
The school also offers regular one-to-one conversations between pupils and tutors.
These informal discussions, often conducted while walking, create a more relaxed environment where pupils feel comfortable.
Alongside this, systems such as secure digital messaging encourage pupils to raise concerns, reinforcing a culture of openness.
A strong house system further supports integration, connecting younger pupils with older students who provide guidance and reassurance.
“You’ll often see older pupils checking in on younger ones,” Mrs Prior added. “That sense of community is incredibly powerful.”
By prioritising relationships and emotional wellbeing from the outset, a spokesperson said Cokethorpe School is setting a clear foundation for long-term success.
Mrs Prior said: “As educators, our role is not just academic. It’s about helping children feel secure, capable and ready to take on challenges, both in school and beyond.”
Cokethorpe School is an independent, co-educational day school for pupils aged four to 18, located on a 150-acre parkland site near Witney.
It was founded in 1957 and became co-educational in 1992.
Cotswold Wildlife Park was established by John Heyworth on the Bradwell Grove Estate and opened on Good Friday, March 27, 1970.
It began with 341 animals and has since grown to house more than 1,500 animals across 250 species.
A spokesperson for Cotswold Wildlife Park said: “We hope you’ll join us in celebrating 56 wonderful years of Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens and we’d like to thank our visitors for their loyal support over the years.
“We must thank them for all their support for more than half a century.”
From its early days on a shoestring budget, the park has expanded to include giraffes, which arrived in 2010 for its 40th anniversary, and rhinos such as D’ora, named during its golden jubilee year in 2020.
George the Aldabra giant tortoise is the park’s oldest and only original resident.
To mark the 50th anniversary, keepers made him a special cake during the lockdown.
The Wantage Orchestra Spring Concert at the Old Mill Hall in Grove was celebrated as “an inspired afternoon” with the highlight being a recital by 17-year-old Katherine Payne.
The young violinist has been described as a “virtuosic performer” and is in her final year at the Yehudi School of Music.
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She will go on to study violin further once she turns 18 and is the recipient of many prizes including the Celia Walker overall prize.
Ms Payne was the leader of the Thames Valley Youth Orchestra and was playing on a Castagneri violin and a Morizot bow, sponsored by the Cherubim Trust.
Typically these violins sell at auction for between £5,000 and £15,000.
At the performance on Saturday, March 21 there was standing room only with Beethoven’s Symphony no.7 and Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie being played.
Conductor Christopher Fletcher Campbell called it “an inspired afternoon”, with home made cakes made available at the interval
One audience member said: “We enjoyed the Wantage Orchestra concert yesterday.
“Lovely programme, and Katherine was very accomplished. Good to see it so well supported.”
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Another added: “What a wonderful afternoon performance, beautiful sunshine outside and amazing performance inside.
“The choice of pieces brought out the best from everyone and they bought enjoyment to us all. Thank you I look forward to future concerts.”
The group’s next concert will be on Sunday, July 5 at 7pm at The Wantage Parish Church, with more information available on its website.
Originally scheduled to close on April 10, Blueprints of Power at Blenheim Palace will now remain open until May 31.
The decision marks 300 years since the death of Sir John Vanbrugh, the architect behind the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Heather Carter, managing director of the visitor attraction at Blenheim Palace, said: “Blueprints of Power has sparked remarkable momentum, opening conversations across generations.
“The response has been excellent, so we’re pleased to be extending the exhibition to give visitors more time to explore Sir John Vanburgh’s remarkable life.
“From his architectural brilliance to his larger-than-life character, never-before-seen items, interactive experiences and an immersive finale in the Long Library make it a must-visit for history enthusiasts, architecture fans and anyone curious about the fascinating story behind Blenheim Palace.”
The exhibition offers an immersive journey through Vanbrugh’s diverse career, from playwright to architect, and sheds light on his complex relationship with the First Duchess of Marlborough, Sarah Churchill.
Visitors begin in the Great Hall, where models, plans, and letters introduce Vanbrugh’s work, before moving through other rooms that explore his influences and connections.
A highlight of the exhibition is the finale in the Long Library, featuring a projection experience with light, sound, and motion.
This segment tells the story of Blenheim Palace’s construction.
Admission to the Blueprints of Power exhibition is included with a valid day ticket or Pass to Britain’s Greatest Palace.
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