Oxford News
UK private school announces expansion in “significant moment”
St Helen and St Katharine school, the girls’ day school in Faringdon Road, has announced it is investing in a newly expanded junior department, which is to be known as St Helen and St Katharine Prep.
From September 2027, the school will extend its junior provision to include Years 3 and 4, enabling girls to begin their time in classes from the age of seven.
READ MORE: Abingdon girls’ school ranked highly for sports
To reflect this expanded provision, the junior department will become St Helen and St Katharine Prep, encompassing Years 3 to 6.
This “significant moment” for the school has been carefully considered by governors and senior leaders.
Headteacher Sarah Rollings said: “For more than 30 years, our junior department has provided an exceptional start to a St Helen and St Katharine education for girls in Years 5 and 6.
“From the outset, they will benefit from the rich and distinctive St Helen’s experience, combining academic ambition, outstanding pastoral care, exceptional opportunities beyond the classroom, and a strong sense of belonging that inspires girls to thrive.”
From September 2027, students in SHSK Prep will be educated in a dedicated new home, created through the redevelopment of the former Sixth Form Centre, next to the playground.
Designed specifically for Key Stage 2 students, it will provide an environment tailored to their needs while keeping them closely connected to the wider life of the school.
Students from Years 3 to 6 will benefit from the expertise of primary-trained staff, while also accessing additional specialist teaching in areas such as sport, music and art.
Chair of governors Sara Benbow said: “Throughout its history, St Helen and St Katharine has evolved to meet the needs of successive generations of young women while remaining true to its founding purpose.
“At a time when girls’ education remains as important as ever, the creation of St Helen and St Katharine Prep represents the next step in that journey, reinforcing and extending the reach of our mission.”
The school said in a statement it is “excited about what lies ahead”, and looks forward to enabling even more girls and young women to benefit from the education, opportunities and values that have defined St Helen and St Katharine for more than a century.
At the end of last year, the school was ranked just outside the top 50 nationally as well as the ‘top school in Abingdon’ in The Times Parent Power 2026 guide, which assesses schools nationwide based on academic performance.
Last year, School Sport Magazine highlighted St Helen’s sports teams and sporting achievements, placing it 20th overall in the country.
Sukhmanpreet Singh, 22, from Hayes, West London, died in an incident on the southbound carriageway just over the Oxfordshire border between Junction 3 (Loudwater) and Junction 4 (High Wycombe) on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
At around 9.10pm, a black Vauxhall Astra hit the central reservation and left the road.
South Central Ambulance Service, Thames Valley Police, Bucks Fire & Rescue and an air ambulance attended the incident, but Mr Singh, who was a kitchen fitter by trade, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The opening of the inquest took place at Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court on January 26.
Senior coroner Crispin Butler confirmed that the medical cause of death was a ‘traumatic brain injury’.
He also revealed that a passenger in the car involved in the crash was able to escape.
Speaking at the time of the crash, Investigating officer PC Stuart Holt, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “First and foremost, my thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who tragically lost his life in this collision.
“We are investigating this collision as a priority, so I’m urging any witnesses to get in touch.
“Also, any drivers with a dashcam who were in the vicinity at the time should review any footage they may have, as it could hold vital information about the collision or the moments leading up to it.”
PC Holt encouraged anyone with information to contact police by calling 101 or submitting a report on the force’s website, quoting reference 43250470168.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.
The full inquest into Mr Singh’s death was expected to be held today, Thursday, June 25.
The former Top Gear and Grand Tour host resides in Oxfordshire, running both Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington and The Farmer’s Dog in Asthall, near Burford.
It is here where he serves his alcohol brand Hawkstone, which is named after a Neolithic monument located nearby in the Cotswolds.
The brand stocks a wide variety of beverages, including lager, stout, cider, vodka and more, with these all available to purchase in person at Mr Clarkson’s Oxfordshire sites as well as online.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson gives major update on Clarkson’s Farm future after cancer
Fans can also get their hands on Hawkstone Lager at a number of supermarket chains across the UK, including Waitrose.
This is the case at Oxford’s store on Botley Road, where shoppers can usually find bottles of the tipple available in four-packs or bigger cases.
That was until today, when stocks were running extremely low due in part to the ongoing heatwave, which saw temperatures soar to 36°C yesterday (Wednesday, June 24).
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson gives away his England World Cup tickets to two fans
With BBQs aplenty and people trying to stay cool with a cold drink, several shoppers could be seen leaving with the big boxes of Hawkstone on Tuesday (June 23).
This meant that, barring a couple of the smaller four packs, the store was completely sold out of Hawkstone, with other lager brands still on the shelves.
A customer notice from Waitrose, where the empty space was, said: “Hawkstone, Premium Lager. Back Soon.”
The acts mark the launch of Blenheim Palace Festival, a brand-new event set against the backdrop of UNESCO World Heritage Site Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, West Oxfordshire.
Taking place across five days this June and July from this Saturday, June 27, the festival’s debut edition will be headlined by American pop royalty Katy Perry, Michael Bublé and Teddy Swims, among other world-class acts.
READ MORE: How to stay cool in the record-breaking heat in city centre
Opening the festival, pillar of the global dance music scene Pete Tong will perform his ground-breaking live experience Ibiza Classics, featuring The Essential Orchestra, on Saturday.
Joining the line-up are superstar DJ and electronic music pioneer Danny Rampling, as well as Sarah Story, breakout DJ, broadcaster and songwriter, known for championing new dance music from established to emerging talent on her BBC Radio 1 show Future Dance.
Seven-time Grammy Award winner Alanis Morissette, one of contemporary music’s most influential artists, will bring her iconic catalogue to the stunning setting of Blenheim Palace on Sunday, 28 June.
Joining her are London rock icons Skunk Anansie. Formed in 1994 and fronted by the charismatic Skin, the band became known for their powerful blend of rock, punk and funk, delivering hits including Weak, Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good) and Charity.
READ MORE: Oxford temperatures match June record set in 1976 heatwave
Grammy-nominated vocal powerhouse Teddy Swims will bring his effortless blend of pop, soul and R&B to the Blenheim Palace Festival stage on Tuesday, June 30.
International superstar Katy Perry will headline Blenheim Palace Festival’s fourth night on Wednesday, July 1.
Joining her on the stage for a night of ‘pure pop magic’ is Mimi Webb, chart-topping pop sensation and BRIT award-nominated singer and songwriter.
Multi-platinum selling global superstar Michael Bublé will bring Blenheim Palace Festival’s inaugural year to a phenomenal close on Saturday, July 4 with his usual, world-class showmanship and unstoppable talent.
Joining him are British Canadian musical duo Appleton, formerly All Saints, formed in 2002 by sisters Natalie and Nicole Appleton, one of the most successful pop groups of the 1990s.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire schools extend closures as heat continues
The night will open with a set by The Mariachis, who previously supported Michael Bublé on his 2022 UK tour, bringing their vibrant, high-energy blend of traditional mariachi flair and contemporary hits to the stage.
The festival offers luxury hospitality experiences and VIP packages for attendees, from the The Grand Banquet: VIP Dining Experience – a three-course gourmet experience with front-of-stage seating – to summer evenings with a Fortnum & Masons picnic in front of the palace.
Blenheim Palace Festival is the result of a new partnership between live music promoters Cuffe & Taylor – a Live Nation company – and world-renowned producers MARI Arts & Entertainment.
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