Oxford News
Multiple UK private schools in mergers – now listed
Earlier this month, Abingdon School announced it is to merge with two prep schools in the town.
Independent schools across the county are now agreeing to mergers as they seek ways of consolidating their position, with mergers a method of building ‘resilience’.
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Abingdon School, a private boys’ school which is one of the top performing schools in the country, has joined forces with Abingdon Prep School and The Manor Prep, to form the Abingdon Schools Group at the start of the new academic year.
Abingdon Prep School is in Frilford near Abingdon, while The Manor Prep is in Faringdon Road, close to St Helen and St Katharine school for girls, another top performing independent school.
The announcement follows Abingdon School’s decision to become co-educational, admitting girls to the first year (Year 7) and Sixth Form (Year 12) from September.
James Sporle, chair of governors at Abingdon School, said earlier: “The formation of the Abingdon Schools Group is a commitment to the future.
“By joining together from a position of strength, we are creating a robust and sustainable group united by excellence that offers our families long-term stability and breadth of choice.
“Families, pupils and staff can continue to expect the same distinctive educational experience and sense of belonging that defines each school, while benefiting from the advantages of closer collaboration and shared expertise.”
Peter Dickson, chair of governors at The Manor Prep, said: “This partnership marks a significant and exciting milestone that celebrates and protects the unique heritage of each of our schools, while our shared commitment to educational excellence will unlock even greater opportunities for our pupils.”
In May last year, Radley College and Prep Schools Trust, which includes Cothill House and Chandlings Prep School, announced they were merging.
Chandlings and Cothill House, which educate boys and girls from two to 13, are close to Radley College – one of three remaining full boarding schools for boys aged 13-18.
Prep Schools Trust is a family of seven junior schools across the country, including Kitebrook in the Cotswolds on the Oxfordshire border which educates 330 pupils.
All eight schools joined forces to form Radley Schools Group in September 2025.
The Council of Radley College, which manages the private school, took on the controlling responsibility for the group.
Radley Schools Group said in a statement at the time: “Radley Schools Group believes in the timeless and authentic values of high quality charitable independent education.
“Through the strength and stability of our group, we are committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all our pupils throughout their childhood.
“Blending the very best of tradition and innovation, we seek to develop young people of outstanding character and purpose for generations to come.”
In July last year, Kingham Hill School, near Chipping Norton, which educates 325 pupils aged 11 to 18, became part of the Cheltenham-based Dean Close Foundation.
It decided to join the foundation based on “shared values and a commitment to developing the unique potential in every pupil,”.
And in September, 2024, Headington School and Rye St Antony School merged to form Headington Rye Oxford.
The new school includes facilities for a prep school for pupils aged three to 11 at the Rye site, and for girls aged 11-18 at the Headington senior school site.
Our Lady’s Abingdon private school closed suddenly last year, citing financial pressures.
The force appealed for information in relation to Thomas Foster-Barnes aged 35, for recall to prison for breaching his licensing conditions.
Since the search was launched, police said a man has been arrested and that officers are no longer looking for Foster-Barnes.
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Thames Valley Police issued an update on the search during the afternoon of Monday, May 18.
A spokesman for the force said: “Thames Valley Police would like to thank the public and the media for supporting our appeal, but we are no longer appealing for information.
“A man has been arrested in connection with the offence.”
The serious road traffic collision took place on the A361 in Chipping Warden, near Banbury, on Sunday, May 17.
A grey SEAT Ibiza car and the rider of a black Suzuki motorcycle were involved in the crash, which occurred at about 2.35pm.
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As a result the motorcyclist, a man in his 60s, suffered serious injuries and was taken to University Hospital Coventry.
A 21-year-old man from Banbury has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injuries by dangerous driving in connection with the crash.
The A361 was closed for around three hours on Sunday while emergency services dealt with the incident, and reopened between 5.30pm and 6pm.
There are reports that an air ambulance was also deployed to the crash, but this has not been confirmed. The Air Ambulance Service for Northamptonshire has been contacted for comment.
Northamptonshire Police detectives from the serious collision investigation unit have launched an enquiry and would like to hear from anyone who may have seen what happened or who captured dash cam footage.
Anyone with information is asked to email collisionappeals@northants.police.uk or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, or Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 26000284814.
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It comes as the second serious crash involving a motorcyclist on the same stretch of the A361 between Banbury and Chipping Warden to occur this month.
The first took place on May 1, when a single-vehicle collision involving a BMW motorcycle which left the carriageway killed the rider, named as Daniel Hill from Banbury.
43-year-old Mr Hill was described as a ‘beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle and son-in-law to our family,’ in a moving tribute issued by his family and released by the police.
“Words cannot describe how much we are going to miss Dan,” the tribute said.
“Dan was loving, passionate, kind and loved by all who met him.
“Dan will be forever in our hearts.”
Following the crash, two men from Banbury, aged 41 and 35, have been arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving.
Police say they have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
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Detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit would still like to hear from anyone who may have dash-cam footage which captured any part of the collision.
Those with information are asked to email collisionappeals@northants.police.uk or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, or Northamptonshire Police on 101.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Please quote incident number 26000251842 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.”
Cody, whose surname was not released, had last been seen in Didcot at about 8.45am on Saturday (May 16).
Thames Valley Police released an appeal over the weekend asking anyone who sees the missing boy to call 999 and report any information on his whereabouts.
It was also noted that the 16-year-old is also known to visit Oxford and Witney.
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He was described as slim, about 5ft 6ins tall, and was last seen wearing a black puffer jacket, a grey tracksuit and grey trainers.
A spokesperson for the police at the time said: “If you see Cody, call 999, quoting reference number 43260243493.
“Anyone with information on Cody’s whereabouts should share it with us.”
Now, as of this morning (Monday, May 18), Cody has been found, Thames Valley Police has said.
A new statement from the force said: “Good news! Missing boy Cody from Didcot has been found safe and well.
“Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal but these can now be removed for the 16-year-old’s privacy.”
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