Head set to leave school

AN acting headteacher has been appointed to lead The Oratory School in Woodcote from the spring.

Matthew Fogg takes on the role from April 3, succeeding Julian Murphy, who is stepping down after 18 months to focus on his family.

Mr Fogg, a graduate of Durham University, has spent his entire career in Catholic boarding schools and has been deputy headteacher at The Oratory since 2018.

He has two children, Bella and Leo, who attend the school, and his wife Vicky is the housemaster of Wootten House, the girls’ house.

Mr Fogg said: “I consider it to be an extraordinary honour to be able to take on the role of headmaster of the school founded by Saint John Henry Newman and to build on the very many achievements and successes to date.

“Vicky and I moved to The Oratory with our children Bella and Leo seven years ago because of our desire to work in a school that is rooted in its Catholic heritage and which provides all of its students with the opportunity to flourish both spiritually and academically, in their sporting and cultural lives, and to make friendships that will last a lifetime.

“I shall do everything in my power, along with all the wonderful staff here, to ensure that as well as building on The Oratory’s academic performance, and on our sporting achievements, where we already punch above our weight.

“I will personally encourage each and every student to develop the skills that set the scene for a life fully lived. I want all of our students to do well — and to do good. Qualities such as leadership, teamwork, resilience, compassion and generosity of spirit must not just be talked about, but lived, shared and witnessed in our daily lives.”

Dr Murphy said: “It has been an honour and a great pleasure to serve as head of The Oratory. It is a fine school and I wish its staff, students, and parents all the best for the future.”