September 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Welcome to a new school year. I am writing to you on behalf of the Partnership Champions and School Leaders within your school to remind you about or introduce you to the  OX14 Learning Partnership. 

Six secondary schools in the Abingdon area are part of a formal school partnership known as the OX14 Learning Partnership. Now in its fifth year, the group works together and have formed close ties across the town. The member schools are St Helen and St Katharine, John Mason, Fitzharrys, Radley College, Larkmead and Abingdon School. 

Partnerships between state and independent schools are becoming more common and are encouraged by the Department for Education as they provide wide ranging opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit. Local School leaders decided on core aims for the partnership based  on the needs of our young people. These are:

 

  • To raise educational aspirations across the OX14 postcode by providing opportunities for students and staff to be challenged, inspired and learn from each other. 
  • Use extra curricular activities to develop character, promote cultural engagement and support civic pride.
  • Support the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff. 

 

Three core events are held across the year plus a selection of additional activities and programmes to support these aims. We aim to provide opportunities to students across year groups and interests. 

 

Mental Health and wellbeing is at the heart of the partnership and we aim to provide workshops, speakers and events on this topic as well as training for older students to become Peer Support Leads in their schools. 

 

Activities such as Academic Coaching and Peer Mentoring across the six schools are well established giving students and staff the opportunity to collaborate and share ideas as well as to develop leadership skills. Other activities such as lectures, guest speakers, challenge days, and  careers and University  support provide an ever widening selection of opportunities. 

We do hope that you and your child feel that the partnership provides opportunities that will enhance their time at school. Please feel free to get in touch with the Partnership Coordinator Jessica Burns with any questions. 

To keep up to date with events and news please check the events calendar on the website ox14lp.or.uk. 

 

Best wishes,

 

Jess Burns

Partnership Coordinator