Lord Williams's School Alumni

20/11/2025

The thanksgiving service for the life of Barry Yates will take place in St Mary’s on Friday, 5th December, beginning at 2.30pm. (Photo is one of the Presidents boards at the school showing that Barry held that office in 1994.)

17/11/2025

Update: the headmaster's office requested that a comment be removed as "It is not supporting the schools efforts to deal with the situation."
Consequently all comments have been erased and also comments on this post switched off.
As also reported in The Independent:

- Three pupils at Lord Williams’s School in Thame, Oxfordshire, were hospitalised after ingesting copper sulphate.
- A pupil allegedly added the chemical, taken from a laboratory, to classmates' water bottles during a science lesson, attracted by its bright blue colour.
- Ingestion of copper sulphate can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and upper abdominal pain.
- All three children were discharged and have safely returned home after staying overnight in hospital.
https://www.facebook.com/share/17xAgsmrkh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Three children rushed to hospital after being poisoned at school

13/11/2025

Sadly we pass on the report of the death of Barry Yates from Five Star Events plus some of our additions:

Barry Yates (1946-2025)

It is with much sadness that we advise you of the loss of Barry. He died peacefully in the JR hospital in Oxford on Monday 10 November after his lengthy illness. Our thoughts and sympathy go to Andrea, their family and many friends at this sad time.

Barry joined the management team in 2001 and the Barry Yates Cup was played at Studley Wood. Barry played a major role and made an important contribution to the growth and success of Five Star Events. He managed many events and looked after our Charities, and it is appropriate that our last two Charities, UCARE and Occtopus, had links to his medical issues and were suggested by Barry.

Barry was a long serving and popular member of Studley Wood Golf Club and a former Captain, which he much enjoyed. Barry was also SODS captain in 2023 and ran the Old Tamensians Golf meetings.

Barry will be greatly missed by all his golfing friends but we will have the chance to remember him at the Barry Yates Memorial golf day at Studley Wood, to be run by Five Star Events in June 2026.

Details of funeral arrangements will be advised when available.

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In 1965 Barry joined Barclays Bank after leaving school. He was a keen supporter of the OTA and a one time President. For many years he was a diligent trustee and then Chair of the John Hampden War Memorial Fund. And as one OT recalls, he was a fine footballer, cricketer, as well as golfer.

12/11/2025

Wreaths laid from the Old Tamensians and the School (bottom right.)

10/11/2025

Remembrance Sunday.

Neil Dimbleby, Headteacher at Lord Williams's School and Bridget Trueman, Lord Williams's School Alumni: Old Tamensians' Association, laying wreaths at the Thame Remembrance Parade yesterday. 📷 Sarah Minchin

26/10/2025

There was a celebration of Gerard Gould at the Oxford Playhouse back in 2013. Nigel Cooke, Cate Fowler and Gerard.

26/10/2025

Latest assessment data on school performance - this for GCSE. These are the Top 10 state schools in Oxfordshire. LWS came 23rd. Wheatley Park did well!

07/10/2025

07/10/2025

John Woodvine (21 July 1929 – 6 October 2025) R.I.P

07/10/2025

Mark Jenkin has a brilliant new film coming out: Rose of Nevada. Here he is at the BFI giving an insight into the filming - and telling an anecdote of how Quentin Tarantino clocked his filming method.

06/10/2025

It is with sadness that we announce the death of OT John Woodvine.

John Woodvine (born 21 July 1929) is an English actor who has appeared in more than 70 theatre productions, as well as a similar number of television and film roles.

19/08/2025

We posted this on a comment but thought it would be worth posting to the wider group. Ben Kerwood's gravestone in the churchyard at Teffont Evias in Wiltshire. Very simple but perfectly captures the man. Many other teachers would also deserve something powerfully simple.