The staff, pupils, and community of Blewbury Church of England Primary School are celebrating a glowing report following a recent SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspection.

The report praises the school for living out its Christian vision and creating an environment where both pupils and staff flourish.

At the heart of the school’s success is a clear and deeply embedded Christian ethos based on the parable of the sower. The values of love, courage, forgiveness, and resilience guide every decision, nurturing a warm, inclusive culture where all members of the community are respected, supported, and encouraged to grow.

Inspectors highlighted the school’s “culture of respect and care”, the strength of its partnerships with the church, local community, and the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust, and its commitment to helping every child succeed—academically, socially, and spiritually. Pupils were commended for their thoughtfulness, empathy, and environmental awareness, with inspectors noting how children are becoming “thoughtful and proactive advocates for positive change”.

Collective worship, pupil voice, strong relationships, and inclusive classroom practices were all recognised as central to the school’s success. The curriculum was praised for encouraging deep thinking and spiritual reflection, with Religious Education described as well-resourced and improving rapidly.

The report noted two areas for future development: embedding recent improvements to the RE curriculum and creating more opportunities for awe and wonder across the school environment.

Headteacher, governors and trustees of ODST expressed pride in the school’s achievements and gratitude to everyone who contributes to its thriving, inclusive atmosphere. “We are so proud of our pupils, who show kindness, curiosity, and compassion every day,” said Miss Reeder, Headteacher. “I want to thank our incredible staff, dedicated families, and the wider community for the love and support that make Blewbury such a special place to learn and grow.”

Blewbury CE Primary School’s success is a testament to what can be achieved when a school truly lives its values—and when a whole community works together to help every child blossom.

The full report is available on the school website. The school has room for more children so if anyone knows a family (regardless of faith) who is looking for school places, encourage them to visit this very special place where they will receive a warm welcome.
Gloria Hancock

On 15th July Bulletin editor Neville Hargreaves will be setting out over Blewburton Hill to walk 666 miles to the Isle of Islay in Scotland.

Neville writes: The Miles to Malts challenge is a personal quest which I’ve been thinking about for many years, but it’s also been inspired by the Pennine Way Challenge that my dear late friend and Blewbury resident Susan Fletcher Watts created three years ago, when 180 of us raised over £100,000 for research into Motor Neurone Disease. This walk will take 7 weeks; I’ll be joined by a few friends for part (or in one case all) of the way. Both Blewbury and Islay were special places for Susan; we’re dedicating the walk to her memory and raising further funds in aid of her MND cause.

So please support us, and this important cause, by donating via Susan’s JustGiving page here: http://bit.ly/3SNEEH5

If you want to know more, email editor@blewbury.co.uk.

Meanwhile, the Bulletin must go on! I’ll be compiling the September issue during the trek, which is why I’ve asked for an earlier deadline. Neville Hargreaves

In June 1965, the very first issue of the Bulletin rolled off the (somewhat more primitive) press.

The first edition ran to four typewritten pages, with most of one page devoted to the bus timetable. Later, pictures and more complex contributions appeared, and the pages were compiled by hand, with literal cutting and pasting, before a switch to electronic compilation in the 2010s.

The Bulletin has always been a team effort; we thank today’s team of people who provide content, manage the advertising, manage the website, look after the
money, print, bundle and distribute the Bulletin to every dwelling in the village (and some further afield), as well as those who did so over the last 60 years. Remarkably, until earlier this year, the Bulletin had had only three editors: Roger Cambray, Robert Long and Chris Whatmore. Here we celebrate their dedicated service to the village and their achievement in growing the Bulletin into what it is today. Neville Hargreaves (editor 2025- )

VE Day brought a call for commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in Europe.
To begin the day a short address and prayer was made by Father Jason on the tower roof. This was followed by the raising of the Union flag whilst a lone piper created a most moving sound to be heard far across the village from the top of the tower. Our special thanks go to Father Jason, Andrew Forman, Dick Street and piper Stuart Mackay for making this a wonderfully unique moment, which we believe is a first for Blewbury.

David Richards

David moved to Blewbury in 1975, having grown up in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, where his parents owned and ran a Boarding House for seaside holidaymakers. In the 1950s they all arrived by train. Aged 12 to 15, David’s Saturday job was to take his parents’ guests’ cases to and from the station on a pram wheel trolley. He used to keep his trolley away from the main station entrance to avoid the taxi drivers seeing him, and as far as he was concerned he was the only one who did this job. A statue commemorating generations of Bridlington Barrow Boys and Girls was erected at Bridlington station in the summer of 2024 and at the end of April 2025 we travelled by train to Bridlington for David to have a photo taken beside his statue. He may not have been the only Bridlington Barrow Boy but he may have been the first.