This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 21 May 2019. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Steven Croft blessed a new partnership between the Community of St Mary the Virgin (CSMV) at Wantage and the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST).
At a ceremony in CSMV's St Mary Magdalene Chapel yesterday, representatives of the two organisations signed a commitment to co-operate in supporting education in the Diocese of Oxford.
From left, Alastair Hunter, Chair of Trustees at CSMV, Kathy Winrow, Chair of ODST, Bishop Steven and Sister Stella.
The covenant offers ODST an additional office, meeting and conference space at St Mary's Convent in Wantage.
The alliance is bringing back into use a house belonging to CSMV as refurbished flats for new teachers working with ODST.
They will be available at a significantly low rent.
This is part of the of the Community's charitable aims of supporting the education of children.
The Sisters of CSMV have made a significant contribution to education since the Community's founding over 150 years ago.
Bishop Steven, making his first visit to the Community will be present at the signing. "The Sisters are delighted to be able to offer accommodation to ODST," says Sister Stella, Sister in Charge of the Community.
"Their presence and their work help underline the importance of high quality education for all in our society, something the Community has worked for throughout its long history. "Speaking on behalf of ODST, Chair of Trustees Kathy Winrow said: "The housing for new teachers marks the start of an innovative partnership between ODST and St Mary's Convent.
As we work together, for the benefit of young people and staff in the Trust our hope is that we are able to support excellence in education. "A new reception area forms part of the plans for the future of St Mary's Convent.
A planning application for this exciting development will be made later in the year. This is the latest in a series of developments underlining the CSMV continuing commitment to Wantage.
Last year the Sisters took the decision to stay at the Convent.
The partnership with OSDT follows the recent announcement that later this year the Vale Academy Trust's central staff team is to move into office space on the convent site from its current base at King Alfred's Academy.
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