Crime & Safety
Cokethorpe School in Witney: ‘How we help to stop stress’
The school’s approach, which includes peer mentoring, mindfulness, daily tutor support and counselling, aims to help pupils understand stress, build resilience and develop coping strategies for exams and beyond.
Andrew Uglow, deputy head academic at Cokethorpe School, said: “One of my big bugbears is the false dichotomy that exists in people’s minds between caring for children’s wellbeing and having high standards and expectations of them.
“It is absolutely possible to hold both at the same time.
“In fact, it is through caring deeply about the individual, and providing the right support, space and mechanisms to help them manage challenges, that we are able to get the very best out of them.”
The school places a strong focus on peer support, with lower sixth students offering one-to-one mentoring for younger pupils.
These informal conversations provide a safe space for pupils to talk openly, seek guidance and benefit from the experience of older peers.
As exam periods approach, the school encourages students to continue participating in sports and outdoor activities to help maintain balance and perspective.
Mr Uglow said: “Exercise, fresh air and consistent routine all help pupils maintain perspective, sharpen focus and sustain positive energy levels during periods of pressure.”
Resilience-building begins in Year 7 with a structured programme designed to help students understand anxiety, recognise stress responses and develop coping strategies.
Mr Uglow said: “We can’t protect children from stress, and nor should we.
“What we can do is build resilience so that when stressful moments arise, they have the tools and confidence to cope.”
Pupils are also guided in practical revision techniques, including time management and striking a balance between study and rest.
Daily tutor contact ensures that pupils are well known individually by staff, enabling early identification of concerns through subtle changes in behaviour.
When more specialised support is needed, students can access trained child and adolescent counsellor Tanya Smith through self-referral, staff, or parent requests.
Mrs Smith emphasises the importance of emotional support during adolescence, describing it as a complex period of development that requires both understanding and structure.
The school’s philosophy supports the wider message of Stress Awareness Month: while stress cannot be eliminated from young people’s lives, schools can equip them with the tools, confidence and support networks they need to manage it effectively.
Cokethorpe School is an independent, co-educational day school for pupils aged four to 18, set on 150 acres of parkland.
Slugs can wreak havoc in our gardens and can often be found munching away on our plants.
While getting rid of them completely is a difficult task, gardening expert Simon Akeroyd has shared a hack you can use in order to minimise the damage they cause.
The simple method uses just one item and is completely free, as you’ll be able to find it in your own garden.
Gardening expert reveals hack to stop slugs and snails
Simon revealed Brits can use thorn-covered twigs and sticks to use as a’ slug barrier’ around plants.
In a video shared with his 824,000 TikTok followers, Simon ventures into a densely planted area of his garden to search for thorny twigs and sticks.
He then returns to his greenhouse, where he cuts the twigs into smaller sections and uses them to create a barrier around the edges of the plant he is trying to protect.
By doing this, he claims your plants are better protected from slugs and snails as they’d rather not slither over sharp thorns.
In his post, Simon is seen to compare the method to barbed wire, ‘just for slugs and snails’.
While he admits it may not completely stop slug damage, he says it will help to reduce it.
Simon said: “Cut lengths or thorny twigs, such as roses or brambles, and place these thorny sticks around the edges of your plant.
“Slugs would prefer not to slither over sharp thorns, which reduces the chances of slugs eating your plants.”
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The gardener added: “To be fair, it won’t completely stop slug damage, as some are already in the compost or soil, whilst others are completely impervious to any barriers.
“But it will hopefully reduce the damage.”
What gardening hacks do you use? Let us know in the comments.
Poppy was discovered by Thames Valley Police whilst on patrol in Steventon, between Abingdon and Didcot, last night (Monday, April 27).
The dog had been found running in the road, sparking the officers on duty to spring into action and catch her.
Once the force managed to get ahold of Poppy, officers used her tag to phone her owners and reunite the pet with her “furry siblings”.
READ MORE: Exclusive look at £24m luxury Cotswolds holiday resort opening in 2027
Photos of the Labrador were shared on the Thames Valley Police’s Rural Crime Team Facebook page last night, along with a statement informing residents.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Whilst on routine patrol tonight, PCs Dollery and Kamalee came across this beautiful black Labrador running in the road in Steventon.
“The officers were able to catch the dog and immediately call the owner thanks to up-to-date tag details on the collar.
“Poppy, who is elderly and blind, has been collected by her owner and is now back home safe with her other furry siblings.”
The 36-year-old actress played Hogwarts witch Hermione Granger in all eight films of the franchise alongside co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.
Ms Watson has turned her attention to studies after her iconic role in J.K. Rowling’s series, as well as parts in Hollywood films The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Little Women.
She had been studying a master’s degree in creative writing at Oxford University since September 2023.
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It was revealed in February 2025 that Ms Watson had switched to a DPhil, which is Oxford’s version of a PhD.
Quotes from one of Ms Watson’s most recent interviews on her break from Hollywood have resurafced this week.
The original chat with Hollywood Authentic, which was published last year, saw the actress speak about her career.
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“In some ways, I really won the lottery [with acting], and what happened to me is so unusual,” said Ms Watson.
“But a bigger component than the actual job itself is the promotion and selling of that piece of work… I’ll be honest and straightforward, and say: I do not miss selling things. I found that to be quite soul-destroying.
“But I do very much miss using my skill set, and I very much miss the art, I just found I got to do so little of the bit that I actually enjoyed.”
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