Oxford News
UK private prep school pupils create tribute collage
Cothill pupils brought the spirit of Oxford to life through a vibrant collage inspired by the city’s architecture, community, and landscape, alongside the artistic style of renowned collage artist David Mach.
Previously known as Cothill House, Cothill is a leading co-educational prep school for pupils aged seven to 13 who attend on a daily basis or board.
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Created by Year 3 and 4 pupils, the large-scale artwork features more than 40 hand-drawn illustrations, showcasing children’s creativity and their unique interpretations of Oxford’s iconic surroundings.
Cothill pupils with their new collage (Image: Cothill)
To deepen their understanding of the city’s heritage, Year 3 pupils also visited Oxford Castle, where they learned more about the site’s history and gathered further inspiration for their artistic work.
The project has encouraged creativity, teamwork, and a stronger connection with the local community and environment, according to staff.
Dr Ruth Tufnell, head of creative arts, said: “The students began by considering which images best represented their connection to, and appreciation of, the city of Oxford.
“They included everything from the buildings, characters in books, and cafes to sports teams, even a sewer rat.
“They were encouraged to draw these by hand and use bold, bright colours, reflecting the energetic style seen in David Mach’s collage work. The illustrations were then carefully cut out and arranged on a painted landscape background created by Year 3.
“This project has been a wonderful opportunity for pupils to celebrate the local area through art, while developing their confidence, collaboration, and curiosity about Oxford’s rich history.”
The collage created by pupils at Cothill (Image: Cothill)
Earlier this month, the school announced the official opening of its new astro pitch.
In March, the school was named Great for Sport and awarded Runner-Up for Great for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) in the prestigious Best of the Best Prep Schools awards by The Week magazine.
The national awards recognise excellence across the UK’s leading preparatory schools, celebrating institutions that “go above and beyond in delivering outstanding educational experiences”.
Oxford News
Jeremy Clarkson issues heart breaking cancer update
The 66-year-old broadcaster and journalist made the announcement during the final two episodes of the fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm, released on Wednesday.
He shared the news with co-stars Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland during a conversation at his Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire.
Mr Clarkson said: “I’ve got cancer.”
When Mr Cooper asked where the cancer was located, Mr Clarkson replied: “Where it is, is of no concern to anybody.
“I’ve known since May.”
He explained that the cancer was detected early following a medical in May and described it as “aggressive”.
Mr Clarkson said: “I was praying we could get the harvest done and then I could go and get some treatment, but it’s going to be slap bang in the middle.”
Later in the episode, he revealed he had surgery to remove 10 per cent of his prostate.
He also reflected on what has been a difficult year for his health, including a serious heart issue that required the fitting of two stents.
He said: “So we started the year and I had coronary heart disease and ended it with me with cancer.”
The series ends with footage of Mr Clarkson in a hospital bed as he undergoes treatment.
He told viewers: “Some of the treatment has gone awry, let’s say.
“I’m going to be here for a little while.
“I’m nil by mouth, I don’t know what’s going to happen.
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“What I wanted to say was if this is all successful, I’ll see you for season six, and if it isn’t, I won’t.
“Take care, everyone.”
Despite his diagnosis, Mr Clarkson continued working throughout 2025.
Production on the sixth series of Clarkson’s Farm is now expected to pause to allow time for his recovery.
What do you think of the latest Clarkson’s Farm series? Let us know in the comments
Oxford News
New Oxford pubs and bars app shows live pub deals and offers
Charlbury-based Richard Coffey launched Bar Trender around six weeks ago to help businesses facing damage, and ultimately closure, from rising costs and economic uncertainty.
Richard Coffey started the venture which has been accepted by a plethora of Oxford pubs and bars (Image: Richard Coffey)
In the city, 22 venues have signed up, including pubs in hotspots such as Cowley Road and Jericho.
The venture was seeded while travelling in Australia. There, he noticed Sydney and Melbourne’s bar scenes were built around happy hours, a culture which he said didn’t really exist back in the UK.
After 10 years of hard work, after leaving a London start-up, he pursued the venture with the help of Artificial Intelligence to cut team and budget requirements.
READ MORE: Oxford MPs welcome social media ban but warn of implementation
He said: “I kept finding myself not knowing what was on, where had decent deals, or which pubs had the features I was looking for. The information existed, it just wasn’t anywhere in one place.”
The app, which provides full autonomy to the business, helps to boost their sales by providing visibility and awareness for the consumer.
Bar Trender app (Image: Bar Trender)
He says this comes at a time when people are “more conscious than ever about where they spend their money”.
He said: “The idea of being able to see what deals are near you before you decide where to go is genuinely useful right now in a way it perhaps wouldn’t have been five years ago.
“The cost of living crisis has fundamentally changed how people make decisions about going out.
“It’s not that people don’t want to go out, but they’re making more considered choices about where they spend their money.”
READ MORE: Crowds gathered for family-friendly fun day in Oxfordshire village
The venture will also support the wider hospitality sector, which is also under “enormous pressure”.
Bar Trender is proud to support Tom Kerridge’s VAT’s The Problem campaign, which is calling for a 10 per cent cut in VAT for hospitality venues.
Bar Trender app is available on app stores now (Image: Richard Coffey)
He said: “Energy costs, wage increases, food and drink inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic have squeezed margins to the point where venues that were thriving five years ago are now struggling to survive.
“We’re seeing more pub closures than at any point in recent memory and once they are lost, are very rarely replaced.”
A launch event will take place at Plush on Friday, June 16, with free shots and drink vouchers available to anyone who has the app downloaded.
Christopher Farr, owner of the LGBTQ+ night club and bar, said the venue is committed to making clubbing safe, affordable and fun.
He said: “The partnership is the perfect way to communicate our affordable drink deals in a fun and easy to use app.”
Oxford News
Oxfordshire SEND plan aims to improve support for children
Oxfordshire County Council’s SEND reform proposals were discussed by its cabinet on Tuesday, June 16.
They include expanding inclusion in mainstream schools, boosting recruitment of educational psychologists and therapists, and creating inclusion support bases.
Sean Gaul, the council’s cabinet member for children, education and young people’s services, said: “Every child deserves an opportunity to thrive whatever their circumstances and this plan sets out how we will deliver better, more inclusive support for children and young people with SEND.
“We are working closely with partners and with families, children and young people who are at the heart of the SEND system.”
Ofsted has previously recognised recent improvements in Oxfordshire’s SEND services, including better joint commissioning and reduced waiting times.
The plan has been developed in consultation with health partners, schools, and the Oxfordshire Parent Carer Forum, and focuses on early intervention, universal and targeted support, and improved outcomes.
If approved, the council will receive a high needs stability grant, potentially covering up to 90 per cent of its dedicated schools grant deficit.
Mr Gaul said: “It’s a vital step towards improving outcomes while making sure our services are sustainable for the future.”
The reform plan is part of the council’s response to national education reforms, including the ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ Schools White Paper and the ‘putting children and young people first’ SEND consultation.
Councils must submit their SEND reform plans to the Department for Education by 19 June.
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