The Friends of The Cherwell School Oxford is an independent charity run by parents and former parents set up in June 2019. (Registered charity number 1183779).
Our sole objective is to raise funds to advance the education of the students at The Cherwell School Oxford, by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities for education and educational wellbeing at the school.
The Trustees
John Hemingway
“Sue and I had two sons Dan and Luke at Cherwell in the late 1980s. After Dan was knocked off his bike and killed at the age of 19, we set up the annual Dan Hemingway Creativity Prize at the school in his memory, and have awarded it every year since 1992. So over the last three decades we’ve met countless final year Cherwell students and learned at first hand what talented and well rounded young people the school turns out. It is truly a remarkable school.”
Alex Thomas
“I’m an engineer living in Summertown with Iryna and our three children (one currently at Cherwell with two more to follow in his footsteps). Cherwell school has been supporting the community for nearly 60 years with results that place it consistently within the national top 2% of secondary schools. As current Chair of the PTA, I aim to bring parents together to actively support the staff and our kids in this outstanding achievement.”
Lucy Wells
“As well as helping Friends of Cherwell with their appeals, I am currently the Development Director for the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund in the US. I have worked in fundraising for over a decade in the US, UK and Australia, after beginning my career working for the UK Government. I have experience helping organizations in multiple cause areas, including scientific research, education and health. I am a dual UK/ Australian citizen and I hold an MA in Egyptology and Near Eastern Studies from Oxford University. My two elder brothers were students at Cherwell.”
Niall McWilliams
“I’m a former Deputy Head of Cherwell and spent 18 years on the teaching staff. So as a parent of five boys too, I’ve seen at first hand the value of helping young people realise their full potential, and the vital importance that a great learning environment plays in helping them achieve this. I am passionate about ensuring our students get the best learning facilities we can provide. Cherwell School has a special place in my heart and I am proud to be a Friend of Cherwell.”
Jennifer Ingham
“I began my career in the US as a high school English teacher and have worked at many different schools over the years, both in the US and here in Oxford. Since 2019 I have worked at Cherwell as the school Lettings Manager, so I can say first hand what a huge impact the Friends have had for our staff and pupils. As a parent of two Cherwell students and one still in Primary who can’t wait to attend, I am proud to work with the Friends of Cherwell to support our extraordinary school. State schools are severely restricted by their budgets, and the Friends of Cherwell are able to raise funds to help the school provide better facilities, more opportunities and amazing experiences that might otherwise be unattainable.”
