An Oxfordshire school set in a 10-acre woodland setting is marking the first name change in its 25-year history with a community open day later this month.
Oxford Millwood School, formerly known as Oxford Montessori School, has adopted its new name to reflect the heritage and geography of its Elsfield site, drawing inspiration from local mills and the surrounding woodland.
To celebrate the change, the school is inviting families and members of the community to a rural-themed open day on May 21 from 10.00am to 2.00pm.
Visitors will be able to explore the school grounds and take part in activities that showcase school life, including forestry sessions. The event will also feature a maypole dancing performance and information about the school’s involvement in the The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The all-ability school is part of Blenheim Schools and offers personalised education for pupils aged four to 16, including specialist SEND support.
The school emphasises individuality, ambition and pastoral care, with sustainability embedded throughout the curriculum. Outdoor learning forms a central part of school life through Forest School lessons for younger pupils, an outdoor programme for children aged 11 to 14 and the Duke of Edinburgh programme for older students.
Katie Townsend, headteacher of Oxford Millwood School, said: “This is a historic occasion for our school which has played an instrumental role in nurturing generations of children over the past three decades.
“The name change not only better reflects the rural environment that our pupils learn in, but also our ambitious academic curriculum which they follow all the way up to GCSE.”
Year 11 pupil George said the school had helped him grow in confidence and praised the smaller class sizes, adding that he hoped the open day would help other children discover the school’s “great buildings and outdoor spaces”.
Those wishing to attend the open day are asked to book in advance through the school’s website.
