Crime & Safety
UK private school goes in liquidation after 165 years
Our Lady’s Abingdon, a private school in Radley Road founded in 1860, was forced to close permanently for financial reasons, according to its governors, who sent letters to parents in August alerting them to the news.
The Statement of Affairs submitted to Companies House revealed Our Lady’s Abingdon Trustees Ltd accumulated debts of £1,555,596 owed to 121 company creditors, and has gone into liquidation.
READ MORE: Private school could be sold this summer
Following the closure announcement, families had to scramble to find places for about 300 pupils at new schools, including state schools and private schools across the county.
Now it has emerged that the school buildings and school site is expected to be sold, which could be worth millions of pounds.
The buildings are expected to be sold during the summer by the owners, the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, based in Leeds.
A spokesperson said earlier this month: “Over the last six months, following the handover of the site from the liquidator, we have been working diligently to both clear and secure the Our Lady’s Abingdon site, as well as reflect on how best the site can be used moving forward.
“Meetings are ongoing about the site’s future, taking into account our obligations as a charity, and we are hopeful to be in a position to share more information in the early part of the summer.”
In November, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran wrote to education secretary Bridget Phillipson, urging the Department for Education to do more to protect families affected by sudden school closures.
She said at the time: “Students, families and teachers were shocked by the sudden closure of Our Lady’s Abingdon over the summer holidays.
“I saw the distress it caused to pupils and parents, particularly those completing their GCSEs and A-Levels.
“I was pleased to see Oxfordshire County Council respond so quickly given the difficult circumstances and find school places for students.
“Going forwards, there must be earlier dialogue between the local authorities and schools to ensure that pupils and parents interests are the number one priority.”
Reacting to news that the school site is expected to go on the market in the near future, Ms Moran said: “The closure of Our Lady’s Abingdon was a real blow for the community.
“I would be delighted if the site were to continue as an educational institution to improve and expand access to education in the area.”
The Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, a Catholic order of nuns in Leeds, said last year it hoped to find a “charitable” use for the land and buildings.
The spokesman said at the time: “Our hope is that, when the time is right, we can find a use for this site that enables us to meet our charitable obligations for our beneficiaries.”
Now it appears the institute will sell the school buildings although it has declined to provide any details at this stage.
Founded in 1860 by the Sisters of Mercy, OLA was a small independent day school for pupils aged seven to 18.
The UK-based business ownership and management of OLA was transferred to the newly formed Our Lady’s Abingdon Trustees Limited in 2007.
To ensure that the buildings could continue to be used by the school, the institute entered into a 99-year lease arrangement with the limited company on terms that sought to secure the long-term future of Catholic education on the site.
Apart from the lease, the order’s only involvement with OLA was that a Sister was on the governing body up until 2022.
A five-month-old cavapoo, a crossbreed of a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a poodle, was “mauled to death” in West Bar Street, Banbury on Good Friday.
Owner Eddie Reeves said the attack happened “in an instant” and described there being “blood all over me and our baby”.
Thames Valley Police were called to the attack and have seized the two dogs part of the attack – including an American Akita and a French Bulldog.
Mr Reeves, who is also a Cherwell district councillor, warned people with babies or small dogs to stay ‘well away’ from an address in West Bar Street.
He said: “Our darling cavapoo, Coco, has just been mauled to death while walking in town with our five-month-old baby.
“It happened in an instant. There is blood all over me and our baby, neither of whom were bitten.
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“Thames Valley Police are on their way, but the number of young men with dangerous dogs in this country is out of control. The dogs need to be put down.”
Politicians have rallied around Mr Reeves in light of his beloved dog’s death.
Councillor Andrew Crichton said: “Eddie, I am so sorry to read this. Absolutely disgusting that this has happened. May Coco rest in peace. My condolences to you and your family.”
Banbury MP Sean Woodcock said: “This is really awful Eddie. I’m so sorry to read this. My condolences to you and your family.”
Councillor Simon Weston added: “That is awful.! So sorry to read this. I hope the police take the appropriate action.”
It is an offence to let a dog be dangerously out of control whether that’s in public or private. This can include making someojne worry they might injure them, according to Thames Valley Police.
A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said: “At around 9.15am on Friday, April 3, we were called to a dangerous dog incident in West Bar Street, Banbury
“Two dogs attacked a cavapoo dog who was being walked. The cavapoo dog sadly died from its injuries.
“An investigation has since been launched and both other dogs have been seized.
“Anyone with information about this attack is asked to call 101 or make an online report via our website, quoting reference number 43260161850.”
The Royal Canin says the American Akita is a “heavy-boned, muscular dog whose striking, noble looks and somewhat dominant personality” make an impression.
“Renowned for their fearlessness and deep sense of loyalty, American Akitas have a long history as both guardians and sporting dogs,” it says.
Meanwhile, French Bulldogs are described as “stocky and chock full of personality” but make “fantastic” companions.
“Don’t be fooled by that serious look on their face: there’s usually a playful dog hidden within,” it added. “The French Bulldog is an adaptable breed that just wants to have fun.”
The Southern Oxfordshire Heritage, Culture, and Creative Industries Symposium returned to Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot on March 25, bringing together 30 representatives from museums, theatres, arts organisations, educational institutions, and heritage groups from South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.
The three-hour event was designed to encourage conversation around improving the arts and culture scene in the region.
Georgina Heritage, cabinet member for communities at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “It was wonderful to see people coming together again from across the districts.
“The workshops sparked some really insightful discussions, and it’s great to see our creative and cultural community collaborating and supporting one another.”
Sessions focused on sharing best practices in audience development and inclusion.
Workshops and presentations also addressed funding opportunities and reaching new audiences, and collaboration and partnership working.
Helen Pighills, cabinet member for community health and wellbeing at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “It’s inspiring to see local organisations reconnect and share ideas on audience engagement and inclusive practice.
“Events like this help us strengthen partnerships, reach new audiences, and ensure creativity continues to thrive across the region.”
The symposium was funded through grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.
Another event is scheduled for June this year.
For more details please email: cultureandheritage@southandvale.gov.uk.
The scheme is set to kick off at Kidlington FC on Thursday, April 16, with a pilot session initiated by The Joey Beauchamp Foundation.
Working in partnership with Oxford United in the Community, and supported by the Oxfordshire FA, the scheme also sees collaboration between three local grassroots clubs: Kidlington Youth, Kidlington FC, and Garden City.
The workshop is part of a broader programme aimed at helping grassroots coaches and volunteers understand mental health better.
It focuses on recognising early signs of distress and responding safely, using the FA’s established safeguarding frameworks.
The initiative highlights the crucial role grassroots football plays in local communities.
Coaches and club officials often serve as trusted figures in young people’s lives.
The pilot aims to equip them with the confidence and practical tools to recognise changes in behaviour, mood, or engagement, start supportive conversations, understand their safeguarding responsibilities, and direct young people and families to appropriate support.
The training is purely awareness and safeguarding-based.
It reinforces that coaches aren’t expected to diagnose or provide therapy but to recognise, respond, record, and refer concerns appropriately.
For more information about the Joey Beauchamp Foundation and how to get involved, please visit www.joeybeauchamp.org or contact info@joeybeauchamp.org and socials links to follow.
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