Crime & Safety
Oxford private school recruiting for new head stages events
Magdalen College School in east Oxford is one of the top performing schools in the country, ranking in the top 20 independent secondary schools in The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2026.
In March, it was announced that Helen Pike has decided to step down as Master of the school at the end of the 2026/27 academic year.
READ MORE: Oxford private school’s new plans
She has been Master for the past 11 years, was the first female master at MCS, and guided the board of governors to one of the most significant decisions in the school’s history – to become fully co-educational from 2027.
While there has been a co-educational sixth form at the school for 15 years, the school has announced it will become fully co-educational over the coming decade, starting with years 3 and 4 in 2027.
A sixth form open evening will take place at the school in Cowley Place on Tuesday, May 19 at 5.30pm.
Then there will be a junior school open morning on Thursday, June 4, at 9.30am, followed by a senior school and sixth form afternoon on Thursday, June 25, at 2pm.
A spokesperson for the school said: “We’re really looking forward to the open events – and to welcoming parents with younger daughters to MCS.
“As we look ahead to a co-educational junior school in 2027, and Year 7 in 2030, the open events will provide a great opportunity for families with both boys and girls to come and look around, and see what life is like here.”
Families attending the junior school open morning on June 4 will be able to hear from the Master, and head of junior school, before enjoying a tour of the school with a pupil – with plenty of opportunities for questions.
There has already been interest from parents with daughters who are exploring options for year 7 and plan to join the event on June 25.
Families will be paired with pupils to tour the school site and see facilities for sport, drama, music and more – as well as glimpsing plans for a new science building.
Ms Pike said earlier she was looking forward to a new phase in her professional life, “one that builds on all that I have enjoyed and achieved in my career during the past 30 years”.
As the headteacher considers her career move, governors at the school have started the recruitment process to find the right replacement.
Chairman of the board of governors Bob Price said in a letter to parents earlier: “Helen will not be handing over the reins until August next year, which will allow a substantial and smooth period of transition before she moves on to pursue the next stage in a stellar career.
“There will be many opportunities over the coming year to celebrate Helen’s achievements, and to thank her fully for all she has done for MCS.
“The process of recruiting a new Master is already under way, and is being led by a panel of governors that includes two experienced former Heads and three other long serving governors.”
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond started the show around a decade ago with producer Andy Wilman.
Having been a presenting team for 22 years, thanks to their work on BBC’s Top Gear too, the three stars called time on their adventures in 2024 with one last trip.
Venturing over to Zimbabwe and Botswana, the final Grand Tour, entitled One For The Road, marked the end of the trio professionally.
READ MORE: Fans rally around emotional Jeremy Clarkson after tragic death
Despite the show coming to a close, Prime Video announced earlier this year that there would be four new retrospective specials.
These would feature new commentary from James May and Richard Hammond and show clips from the show.
The first of these, The Not Very Grand Tour, was released on the streaming platform back in April of last year.
Now, the next in the series has been released, this time reuniting the trio with the reintroduction of Mr Clarkson.
READ MORE: Representatives for Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds farm to be decided
As advertised with a clip across Prime Video’s social media pages, the iconic trio has returned with a new episode.
This new caper, entitled The Grand-ish Tour: A Trip Down Memory Lane, was released today (Friday, May 1).
The synopsis of the new episode reads: “Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May return with a look back at some of their fastest and funniest moments from The Grand Tour.
“In this episode, they celebrate epic driving moments in California, Morocco, Colorado and Scandinavia, wince at the misery brought on by water and mud, remind Jeremy of his mechanical incompetence, and enjoy an excellent montage of each other falling over.”
It’s the first year of the new festival at the Woodstock stately home after the Nocturne series came to an end.
Brit Award-nominated singer-songwriter Mimi Webb is set to join global pop royalty Katy Perry as special guest on Wednesday, July 1.
READ MORE: Private school pupil wins praise in national competition
She first gained attention with her 2021 debut EP Seven Shades of Heartbreak.
Then her debut album Amelia, released in 2023, achieved a Top 5 debut in the UK Albums Chart and was followed by a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Continuing to make waves with over one billion streams worldwide, she has also supported the likes of The Jonas Brothers, Tate McRae and Benson Boone across the globe.
Blenheim Palace Festival will see some of the world’s biggest artists take to the stage for a one-of-a-kind experience next summer.
The five-day festival takes place in June and July 2026 at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Tickets are on sale now via www.blenheimpalacefestival.com.
With headline slots from American pop royalty Katy Perry, Grammy-nominated vocal powerhouse Teddy Swims, who will be joined by breakout singer-songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith as a special guest, and dance music icon Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, plus two more world-class headliners yet to be revealed, the festival is planning an unforgettable first year.
The festival runs from Saturday, June 27 to Saturday, July 4.
It will end with a performance from popular Canadian singer Michael Buble.
Mimi Webb is also expected to perform at the Big Feastival in Kingham, on Saturday, August 29.
Last month Year 8 pupil Jolyon, whose surname has not been disclosed, took to the national stage at the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association London and South England competition.
Competing with his band, Laidlaw Memorial, their quartet came third overall against strong competition.
READ MORE: Private school groundsman wins praise for pitches
Following the competition, the school stated: “Jolyon also shone as a solo performer, winning the under 14 category with his 2/4 March, Hills of Perth.
“An incredible result at his first national competition. We are so proud of you, Jolyon.”
Cokethorpe School will host its next open morning on Saturday, May 9, offering prospective families the opportunity to experience life at the co-educational Oxfordshire day school.
Visitors will have the chance to meet the head, Dr Sarah Squire, and hear a short address outlining the school’s ethos, recent developments and future direction.
Tours of the school will be led by pupils, with the option for families to explore the site independently.
The event provides an opportunity to see the breadth of academic and co-curricular provision, as well as the school’s facilities.
Last month it emerged that Oxford United Milk Cup legend Les Phillips is part of the team looking after the pitches at the school.
The school was awarded the Grounds Team of the Year 2026 by the Independent Schools Football Association, an accolade which recognises the work required to maintain the 150-acre site including nine grass rugby and football pitches, three cricket squares, six golf greens, two artificial sports pitches, and tennis courts.
Working alongside head groundsman Simon Hole, Mr Phillips makes up the two-person groundskeeping team at Cokethorpe, with a replacement deputy head groundsperson being sought.
Almost 40 community teams across Oxfordshire also use the pitches.
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