Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust News Feed - Latest News

ODST and Bonitas

Mon, 6 Oct 2025 10:01:44 GMT

ODST is proposing to welcome Ranelagh School and Jennett’s Park CE Primary to the trust, following discussions with their current MAT, Bonitas.

'Global Neighbours' award for The Batt CE School

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:07:46 GMT

Pupils at The Batt CE school in Witney have been presented with a Bronze Award from Christian Aid’s Global Neighbours Scheme for their global citizenship work.

ODST schools nominated for Oxford Climate Awards

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:26:51 GMT

Two ODST schools have been recognised in the Oxford Climate Awards for their work on sustainability.

RAF experience day for three ODST schools

Wed, 9 Jul 2025 13:03:27 GMT

Three ODST schools took part in a Military Day with personnel from RAF Brize Norton, learning about about RAF life and marking Armed Forces week.

Oxford United footballers visit Burford Primary's new 'Nest'

Wed, 21 May 2025 08:24:45 GMT

Children at Burford Primary School were excited to welcome Oxford United footballers on Friday 16th May to officially open a new building named the ‘Burford Best Nest’.

Children visit new school as construction begins at St Nicholas CE Primary

Thu, 15 May 2025 10:56:17 GMT

Construction of the new St Nicholas CE Primary School, Wallingford, is now underway and developers welcomed children from the current St Nicholas CE Infants to see their new school being built.

New building proposed for Brize Norton Primary School

Mon, 12 May 2025 14:12:44 GMT

Brize Norton Primary School may move to a brand-new home following a proposal by Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) and Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST).

ODST appoints next CEO

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:05:43 GMT

ODST has appointed Sharon Mullins as its new chief executive, with effect from 1 September 2025. Sharon will take on the role from Anne Dellar, who founded the trust in 2012 and will retire this summer.

ODST CEO and Chair recognised for service to education

Tue, 4 Feb 2025 11:12:11 GMT

The Chief Executive and Chair of ODST have been recognised for their services to education, at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday 1 February.

Unleashing great learning - ODST leadership conference

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 11:49:48 GMT

ODST headteachers welcomed speaker Kathryn Morgan for the trust's Autumn term leadership conference on 29 November.

Ten ways to support small schools

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 13:23:22 GMT

At ODST we have some brilliant, flourishing small schools. How do we support and celebrate them in challenging times?

ODST INSET day: Inclusion and SEND

Fri, 8 Nov 2024 16:00:32 GMT

ODST schools took part in a whole-trust INSET day on Monday 4 November, focused on SEND and Inclusion.

St Mary's & The Batt embark on new partnership

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 11:23:05 GMT

St Mary’s CE Infant School and The Batt CE Primary School have entered a new era of partnership after working increasingly closely together in recent years.

Wallingford schools consultation

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 12:10:19 GMT

ODST is pleased to be consulting on an exciting development project to provide new facilities and expand the age range of St Nicholas CE Infants' School and Fir Tree Junior School in Wallingford.

Ofsted success for 'inclusive and caring' Blewbury school

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:25:13 GMT

Blewbury CE Primary has achieved an Ofsted overall ‘Good’ grade, with ‘Outstanding’ provision for Early Years pupils, in its first Ofsted inspection since undergoing a transformation over the past four years.

ODST NPQH course kicks off for new and aspiring school leaders

Tue, 2 Apr 2024 11:15:16 GMT

Fourteen talented school leaders from across ODST schools are taking part in our new NPQH course, which kicked off on 25 March with a meet-and-greet induction session.

SLASH conference: growing our leadership talent

Wed, 3 Apr 2024 11:04:30 GMT

Growing our talented leaders is a key priority for ODST as we look to support staff throughout their careers, and provide opportunities to develop skills and take on new leadership positions.

St Luke's explores British values and democracy with MP Theresa May

Wed, 3 Apr 2024 12:24:37 GMT

Children at St Luke's CE Primary, Maidenhead, welcomed their local MP - former Prime Minister Theresa May - to school to talk about British Values and democracy.

Supporting small schools

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:47:10 GMT

With 14 schools under 150 pupils, within ODST there is significant expertise in the unique privileges and challenges that leading a small school presents. On 30 January, headteachers and chairs of governing bodies from some of our small schools met to discuss the benefits, challenges and solutions and how we can best support small schools in the future.

South Moreton pupils recycling helium with Rutherford Appleton Laboratories

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 10:53:37 GMT

South Moreton School will be the first in the country to help support the science at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories by recycling their helium balloons.

'Pupils thrive in this happy place' - St Frideswide CE Primary

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:54:39 GMT

One of Oxford's newest schools goes from strength to strength

Leadership conference: SEND and Inclusion

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:23:48 GMT

ODST Leadership conferences are always a highlight in each term's calendar, and the Autumn event on 10th November was no exception, bringing both headteachers and SENDCos together for a day focused on Inclusion.

'Care, kindness and support for all pupils is tangible' - Kidmore End CE Primary

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:01:12 GMT

'Wider development and pastoral support is at the heart of the school'

Art and RE week at The Blake CE Primary

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 13:15:07 GMT

The Blake CE Primary, Witney, held a joint RE and Art week this year, with the aim of helping children understand their feelings and explore healthy ways of dealing with them.

St Mary's leads the way in outdoor play with 'OPAL' platinum award

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 11:48:46 GMT

St Mary's CE Primary, Banbury, has achieved OPAL Platinum status - the highest level of the OPAL outdoor play programme.

'Pupils ‘embody the ambition to live life in all its fullness' - St Luke's CE Primary

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:51:45 GMT

'Outstanding' again for St Luke’s CE Primary School

All Saints shines silver with new games award

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:32:53 GMT

All Saints CE Junior School in Maidenhead has achieved the School Games Silver Mark Award, for their commitment to sports competition for young people.

The award marks another step in an exciting new chapter for All Saints, which is ODST's newest member school.

School buildings (RAAC)

Mon, 4 Sep 2023 15:50:00 GMT

In light of recent media coverage regarding Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) and its use in educational settings, ODST has written to headteachers, parents and carers to reassure them regarding the safety of school buildings.

ODST schools mark coronation

Wed, 10 May 2023 14:04:13 GMT

Schools across ODST marked the King's coronation with celebration events and themed activities.

ODST choirs perform at Christ Church Cathedral

Wed, 5 Apr 2023 14:18:05 GMT

Listening period - Wootton-by-Woodstock CE Primary

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 11:46:32 GMT

ODST has opened a listening period regarding the proposed closure of Wootton-by-Woodstock CE Primary School, running until 1 May 2023.

All Saints CE Junior School joins ODST

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 12:49:56 GMT

ODST welcomed All Saints CE Junior School, Maidenhead, to the Trust on 1 January 2023.

Merry Christmas

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 12:14:23 GMT

ST JOHN’S CE PRIMARY CELEBRATES OFSTED UPGRADE

Mon, 7 Nov 2022 15:22:58 GMT

St John’s CE Primary School in Reading is celebrating an Ofsted upgrade, moving to ‘Good’ in all areas, following an inspection in September.

ODST welcomes St Laurence CE Primary

Mon, 7 Nov 2022 11:06:45 GMT

ODST is delighted to welcome St Laurence CE Primary, Warborough, to our family of schools.

Schools mark Queen's jubilee

Thu, 2 Jun 2022 13:16:43 GMT

Schools across ODST have been marking the Queen's platinum jubilee with events and celebrations.

ODST Chair receives MBE for Services to Education

Wed, 6 Apr 2022 10:25:51 GMT

Congratulations to ODST Chair of Trustees, Kathy Winrow, who last week received her MBE for Services to Education.

School leaders dive into curriculum at ODST conference

Wed, 6 Apr 2022 12:02:19 GMT

Headteachers and curriculum leaders took part in a curriculum-focused ODST leadership conference on 18th March.

'Sensory Space' opens at St John's CE Primary

Wed, 6 Apr 2022 10:26:44 GMT

St John's CE Primary in Reading has created a new 'Sensory Space' for pupils, and welcomed Rachel Eden, Mayor of Reading, to officially open the new room.

Earl of Wessex opens new building at St Peter's CE Middle School

Wed, 6 Apr 2022 10:48:33 GMT

St Peter’s CE Middle School in Old Windsor welcomed The Earl of Wessex on Thursday 3 March to officially open the school's new 'Peacock building'.

ODST to welcome three Berkshire schools

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 12:34:13 GMT

ODST is welcoming three Reading-based schools to the Trust in January 2022.

Forest school gets off the ground at St Mary's, Banbury

Mon, 6 Dec 2021 17:49:55 GMT

School leaders find their inner 'chimp' at ODST conference

Mon, 6 Dec 2021 17:49:27 GMT

Schools mark Anti-bullying week

Mon, 6 Dec 2021 11:23:28 GMT

Schools have been getting involved with activities to mark Anti-bullying week and promote kindness and respect for one another.

Ofsted praise 'Kindness, tolerance and respect' at South Moreton

Mon, 6 Dec 2021 11:18:34 GMT

South Moreton Primary School has been graded 'Good' by Ofsted, with the inspector praising pupils' 'kindness, tolerance and genuine respect for each other and the wider community'.

Queen's jubilee tree planted at St Christopher's

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 14:52:03 GMT

St Christopher's CE Primary in Cowley was one of the first places in the country to receive a new tree in honour of the Queen's 2022 Jubilee celebrations.

Farewells and Welcomes to ODST Team

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 12:12:18 GMT

ODST said farewell yesterday to two incredible members of the school improvement team, Sharon Mullins and Sara Holland, who are moving on to new chapters.

ODST chosen to deliver NPQ senior leaders course

Thu, 8 Jul 2021 16:20:06 GMT

We are delighted that ODST has been chosen to provide a National Professional Qualification (NPQ) course for school senior leaders in the South East.

ODST Chair awarded MBE for services to education

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 11:34:08 GMT

ODST's Chair of Trustees, Kathy Winrow, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours, for services to education.

School closures - January 2021

Tue, 5 Jan 2021 14:29:59 GMT