Crime & Safety
Oxfordshire private school launches new scheme to help pupils
Amy Prior, head of first form at Cokethorpe School, has highlighted the importance of prioritising strong relationships and emotional wellbeing to ensure a smooth and confident start for pupils.
The day school has developed a structured integration programme designed to support pupils entering Year 7, which bosses say will ensure they feel connected before the academic year begins.
Mrs Prior said: “Friendships are the single most important factor for children at this age.
“If a child feels settled and connected, they are far more likely to thrive both socially and academically.”
Rather than beginning with a traditional first day in the classroom, new pupils take part in an overnight camp.
Delivered by outdoor education specialists, the experience includes team building activities.
“The aim is to gently push pupils outside their comfort zones,” Mrs Prior added.
“They arrive not knowing many people, but leave having formed connections and understanding who their support network is.”
With pupils joining from both the prep school and a wide range of external schools, activities are structured to encourage new friendships and prevent existing social groups from dominating, staff say.
Small tutor groups, typically fewer than 10 pupils, enable staff to build a detailed understanding of each child. Combined with close communication between tutors and pastoral leaders, this allows for early identification of concerns.
“Every small detail matters,” said Mrs Prior. “We build a picture over time so we can step in early if needed.”
The school also offers regular one-to-one conversations between pupils and tutors.
These informal discussions, often conducted while walking, create a more relaxed environment where pupils feel comfortable.
Alongside this, systems such as secure digital messaging encourage pupils to raise concerns, reinforcing a culture of openness.
A strong house system further supports integration, connecting younger pupils with older students who provide guidance and reassurance.
“You’ll often see older pupils checking in on younger ones,” Mrs Prior added. “That sense of community is incredibly powerful.”
By prioritising relationships and emotional wellbeing from the outset, a spokesperson said Cokethorpe School is setting a clear foundation for long-term success.
Mrs Prior said: “As educators, our role is not just academic. It’s about helping children feel secure, capable and ready to take on challenges, both in school and beyond.”
Cokethorpe School is an independent, co-educational day school for pupils aged four to 18, located on a 150-acre parkland site near Witney.
It was founded in 1957 and became co-educational in 1992.
Oxford Stand Up To Racism has accused Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, of inciting the ‘awful violent scenes’ in Southampton on Tuesday night (June 2).
The city where 18-year-old Henry Nowak died and where his killer, Vickrum Digwa, lived became a scene of destruction after hundreds descended to smash car windows, hurl bricks and cause eleven officers and a police dog to be injured.
READ MORE: New date set for Tommy Robinson appearance in Oxford
Following the disorder, the chief of Hampshire police said those involved were ‘determined to spark fear and division’.
Yaxley-Lennon, who has been jailed multiple times for a variety of offences including when he was imprisoned in October 2024 for contempt of caught, addressed the crowd at the riot.
He said: “I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.
“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”
Oxford Stand Up to Racism is now renewing its call for the Oxford Union to withdraw its invitation for the ‘riot agitator’ to speak on June 17 on the subject of Islam.
He was originally due to speak at the historic debating society on Thursday, May 28 before his appearance was postponed over security concerns and after massive backlash.
READ MORE: Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene
Ian McKendrick, a member of the anti-racism group, said: “Despite Henry Nowak’s family clearly requesting that his death should not be used to promote further hatred, Robinson was at the centre of protests in Southampton last night and clearly inciting violence.
“Giving him a televised platform at the Oxford Union legitimises hate and violence, and gives him the opportunity to incite violence to an audience of millions.
“It does not promote free speech – instead, it promotes fear and intimidation among minoritised communities.
“Already we have seen Oxford fascists alongside Robinson in Southampton and now mobilising to bring more hate onto Oxford’s streets.”
Members of Raise the Colours: Oxfordshire were called to attend the Southampton protest on Tuesday night, with the leader of the group posting on Facebook to ask followers to join the ‘justice for Henry Nowak’ protest.
Mr McKendrick added: “There is a concerted effort by far right leaders and fascist groups to incite outrage and bring people on to the streets to riot.
READ MORE: Traffic chaos in Witney amid report of ‘major incident’
“We risk an explosion of violence similar to what we saw around the Southport murders across the UK.
“We’re calling on Oxford to say a clear ‘no’ to this hate and division by protesting against Yaxley-Lennon’s appearance at the Oxford Union.”
Faith and civic leaders of Oxford already wrote to the Oxford Union asking it to rescind the controversial figure’s invitation, and hundreds have signed an open letter calling for the same.
A reported incident at a junction in Witney is causing traffic chaos in the town, with drivers coming off the A40 and elsewhere stuck in long queues.
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An incident occurred in St Aldate’s, outside the entrance to Christ Church Meadows, at about 4pm on Tuesday, June 2.
At least three ambulances were responding to what appeared to be a medical emergency on the pavement.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire footbridge over A-road a collapse risk for years
An individual was scene on a stretcher being cared for by paramedics.
An eyewitness said the incident occurred opposite the Alice Shop, and the medical teams ‘evacuated’ the person.
Apart from the pavement briefly being blocked while the first responders dealt with the emergency, it did not appear to affect traffic or block the road in busy St Aldate’s.
South Central Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.
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