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John Mason School

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Coordinates: 51°40′35″N 1°17′18″W / 51.6764°N 1.2884°W / 51.6764; -1.2884
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John Mason School
Address
Map
Wootton Road

Abingdon-on-Thames
,
Oxfordshire
,
OX14 1JB

England
Coordinates51°40′35″N 1°17′18″W / 51.6764°N 1.2884°W / 51.6764; -1.2884
Information
Former nameJohn Mason High School[1]
TypeAcademy converter
Established1960
Department for Education URN140580 Tables
OfstedReports
Head teacherAlastair West
Staff123 (2017)[2]
GenderMixed[3]
Age11 to 18[3]
Enrolmentc. 1043 students[3]
Capacity1040 students[3]
HousesThames, Ock, Stert
Colour(s)     [4]
Websitejohnmason.oxon.sch.uk

John Mason School (JMS) is a secondary school with sixth form in the town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

History

[edit]

John Mason School, located on Wootton Road,[5] opened as a grammar school in September 1960, to 69 students. The school is named after sixteenth-century intellectual, diplomat and spy Sir John Mason. He was born in Abingdon and educated at the nearby Abingdon School.[6] Coincidentally, the first Headteacher of John Mason School, Derrick Hurd,[7] went on to become Head at Easthampstead Park School based on the estate of which Sir John Mason was the keeper in 1548.[8]

The school was previously in a four-way partnership of Abingdon schools known as 14:19 Abingdon. The other members were Larkmead School, Fitzharrys School and Abingdon and Witney College. The four partners shared sixth form lessons.[9][10][11] John Mason is now part of the Abingdon Learning Trust, together with Fitzharrys School and Rush Common School,[12] and shares its sixth form, JMF6 Abingdon, with Fitzharrys.[13] John Mason has approximately 1043 students as of 2024.[14]

Sarah Brinkley, previously the deputy headteacher,[15][16][6] became the school's new headteacher in September 2015.[12] On 20 April 2020,[17] she was succeeded as headteacher by Adrian Rees, and instead became the Executive Headteacher and Director of Secondary Education at the Abingdon Learning Trust.[12][18] In 2022, Brinkley left her role as Executive Headteacher,[19] and remained the Director of Secondary Education until she resigned on 2 July 2023.[20] Rees' departure from the school was announced in February 2023, and he officially left the school in March,[21] being replaced by Kirsty Rogers,[22] who was the school's deputy head teacher[23] and worked as acting headteacher until September, when, after eight years at the school,[24] she left John Mason School to become headteacher at Aureus School in Didcot,[25] and Alastair West became the new headteacher.[26]

JMS is part of the OX14 Partnership, along with Fitzharrys School, Larkmead School, Radley College, Abingdon School, and St Helen and St Katharine. The partnership was officially launched on 19 November 2021,[27] and allows the seven schools to coordinate opportunities, extra-curricular activities, and support with mental health.[28]

Because of the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the school's main block, John Mason School announced on 8 September 2023 that the school was to be fully closed to all students on Monday 11th, and that the school would have a reduced capacity for the rest of the week, with many students set to work from home. The United Kingdom government stated earlier in 2023 that areas where RAAC was identified should be evacuated and shut down until remedies could be put in place.[29][30] The school had had multiple surveys for the material in 2022, and found no RAAC within any of the buildings. Despite this, the school stated on 8 September that it had been given "further information", and that there was indeed RAAC on the site.[31][26][32] The reduced capacity restrictions continued for another week, though with more students on site. On Friday 22nd, it was announced that, after an additional survey from a surveyor commissioned by the Department for Education, the school was to reopen to all students from Monday 25th.[33][5]

Specialist school and academy status

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The school was granted specialist school status for visual and performing arts in 2004.[34] In 2006, JMS built and opened the 06 Gallery using funding provided after receiving its specialist status. The 06 Gallery contains much of the students' artwork.[35]

Previously run by the Oxfordshire County Council (OCC), on 1 February 2014, John Mason School became the first school in Abingdon to convert to an academy, giving it more control over its admissions, finances, and curriculum. While now directly funded by the Department for Education, JMS continues to work with the Oxfordshire County Council for certain aspects of education.[36]

Abingdon Learning Trust

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Main article: Abingdon Learning Trust

John Mason School, along with Fitzharrys School and Rush Common School, belongs to the multi-academy trust, the Abingdon Learning Trust (ALT).[12] Formed in 2012 as the Rush Common Academy Trust,[37][38] it was in 2016 it was announced that the three schools planned to join as the ALT,[39] and officially changed their name.[40]

Houses

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The school has three houses, Stert, Ock, and Thames, of the colours red, green and blue respectively. There was a fourth house, Isis, but this was dissolved in 1993. The houses are named after watercourses in the town of Abingdon.

Academic performance

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According to the Department of Education 2011 breakdown of A-level results, John Mason were the sixth best in the UK for performance in mathematics, with 38% of students getting A* grade.[41] In 2013, then-Education Secretary Michael Gove praised John Mason as "a school that, under a particularly inspirational head, is taking very very positive steps to provide students with a range of qualifications and the type of education that is relevant to the modern world."[42] In 2017 Ofsted reported its quality of teaching, learning and assessment, outcomes for pupils and overall effectiveness all required improvement; the second lowest grade.[43]

The Welsh Farm

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The school owns a farm, generally known as the Welsh Farm, at Troedyrhiwgellifawr near the village of Pumsaint and the town of Llandovery in Wales. Students commonly undertake a four-day trip. The John Mason Association owns and runs the farm.[44]

Notable former staff and pupils

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Paul Mayhew-Archer (a writer on The Vicar of Dibley and My Hero) was formerly a teacher at JMS.[45]

Famous former pupils include West End actor and singer Oliver Tompsett,[46] BBC and Channel 5 news presenter Katie Ledger,[47] and Dr Mike Leahy,[48] who presents his own TV programme Invasion of the Bodyscratchers and has appeared in many other medical programmes.

References

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  1. ^ Lyons, Erin (1 September 2018). "Teacher and former pupils reunited after 50 years". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  2. ^ Czajka, James (17 October 2017). "FOI 150917 converted.pdf" (PDF). WhatDoTheyKnow. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "John Mason School - GOV.UK". Get Information about Schools. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  4. ^ "John Mason School". John Mason School. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b Folker, Robert (22 September 2023). "School to fully reopen as all-clear given after RAAC closure". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  6. ^ a b Wilkinson, Ben (9 July 2010). "School was 'too good to be true'". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  7. ^ Fantato, Damian (24 September 2013). "Memories joy as ex-pupils stage reunion 50 years on". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  8. ^ Nash Ford, David. "Royal Berkshire History: Easthampstead Park". Royal Berkshire History. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Abingdon pupils' hi-tech opportunity". Oxford Mail. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  10. ^ Wilkinson, Ben (21 February 2011). "New study block boost for pupils". Herald Series. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Oxfordshire UTC - Impact Assessment - Oxfordshire_UTC.pdf" (PDF). Gov.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d Grubb, Sophie (17 March 2020). "Secondary schools name new headteachers". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Welcome Message - JMF6". JMF6 Abingdon. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  14. ^ "John Mason School - GOV.UK". Get Information About Schools. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  15. ^ Wilkinson, Ben (9 August 2010). "Scheme for 20mph limit in Abingdon stalls". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  16. ^ "County council forced by Government cuts to shelve planned 20mph limit in Abingdon town centre". Herald Series. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Abingdon Learning Trust 2020 - Final Accounts preparation DATED 11 DEC" (PDF). Abingdon Learning Trust. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  18. ^ Whittaker, Rebecca (27 August 2020). "Abingdon headteacher calls for clearer government advice on face coverings". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Sarah Brinkley - Director of Secondary Education - GLF Schools | LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Annual-Accounts-August-2023.pdf" (PDF). Abingdon Learning Trust. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  21. ^ Gosling, Sam (10 February 2023). "Headteacher Arrangements from March 2023" (PDF). John Mason School. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Staff List - John Mason School". John Mason School. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  23. ^ Hopkins, Jonathan; Hammans, Fiona (21 March 2023). "Headteacher Announcement" (PDF). John Mason School. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  24. ^

    Rogers, Kirsty [@AureusHead] (24 August 2023). "After an epic day celebrating with the students it's time to hang up my JMS lanyard @JohnMasonSchoo1 It's been a great 8 years thanks to the staff and the students. On to my next adventure @AureusSchool" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 September 2023 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "King marks 75th birthday in Oxfordshire as he launches 'The Coronation Food Project'". ITV. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Three year groups in Oxfordshire secondary school to work from home following Raac discovery". ITV News. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Abingdon schools launch OX14 Partnership". Abingdon School. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  28. ^ Rise, Liam (24 November 2021). "Six schools team up to form new partnership". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  29. ^ Shearing, Hazel (1 September 2023). "School closures: Dozens were at risk of collapse due to risky concrete". BBC News. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  30. ^ Jackson, Liz (1 September 2023). "RAAC: Seven London schools part-closed due to dangerous concrete". BBC News. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  31. ^ "School concrete crisis: Abingdon school to shut". BBC News. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  32. ^ Christie, Olivia (9 September 2023). "School to CLOSE from Monday as unsafe concrete now found on site". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  33. ^ "Abingdon school forced to close due to Raac given all clear". BBC News. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  34. ^ Jesson, David; Crossley, David (January 2004). "Educational Outcomes and Value Added by Specialist Schools" (PDF). ResearchGate. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  35. ^ "School shows more than 1,000 art works". Herald Series. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  36. ^ Ormiston, Katriona (13 February 2014). "Switch to academy part of plan for outstanding status". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  37. ^ "Abingdon Learning Trust - GOV.UK". Get Information about Schools. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  38. ^ "Incorporation". Companies House. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  39. ^ Grubb, Sophie (28 September 2016). "Headteachers encourage schools to join partnership to 'do something right' for town's children". Herald Series. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  40. ^ "Change of name notice". Companies House. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  41. ^ Bardsley, Fran (24 July 2012). "Four schools among the best for A-Levels". The Oxford Mail. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  42. ^ "Schools praised by Education Secretary". Abingdon Herald. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  43. ^ "Inspection report: John Mason School". Ofsted. 2017.
  44. ^ "Welsh Farm". John Mason School. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  45. ^ Wittenham, Ross (7 February 2012). "Paul Mayhew-Archer talks about his life in comedy with the BBC". Daily Info (Oxford). Retrieved 4 August 2012. After the interval we were treated to a talk by Mayhew-Archer himself, a mainstay of the British comedy scene for thirty years. Here he was playing to his home crowd, having started off his career as a teacher at John Mason School, just down the road.
  46. ^ Gray, Chris (18 July 2013). "Abingdon's Oliver Tompsett on his star role in We Will Rock You". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  47. ^ "Ignore moaners, says TV presenter". Oxford Mail. 27 January 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  48. ^ Airs, Thom (2 November 2009). "Oxford scientist is really bitten by the TV bug". The Oxford Times. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
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