ITS stepped copper spire is one of the most iconic features of Oxford's skyline, but many people have never ventured beyond its façade on Frideswide Square.

Now is the chance - Saïd Business School is embracing its place on the Oxford Open Doors programme this month, opening the impressive building to visitors.

The event is staged annually by Oxford Preservation Trust, running this year from September 14-15, and opens up free access to scores of venues including colleges and churches.

Saïd Business School will be running two tours on both days, at 10am and midday.

Martin Boyt, the business school's estates operations manager, said: "The school's desire is to say we are not just for students, locking ourselves behind the doors - we want to be part of the community."

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Visitors will see sights including the school's Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre, featuring a bust of its namesake, who gave a talk there for its opening in 2002.

Comedian Eddie Izzard, former president Jimmy Carter and distinguished business leaders have also previously delivered talks at the 330-seat theatre.

The tour will also cover the school's outdoor amphitheatre, overlooking a shaded courtyard on one side and tranquil gardens on the other, including the remnants of Rewley Abbey.

Paintings and sculptures are dotted around the site, and the school runs regular art tours for the public when an artist is exhibiting.

Sara Beck, chief operating officer of the school, said: "This is a great building and a great school, and we want to open that up.

"Open Doors will offer a window into some of the other things we are trying to do for the public to come in, like our art tours."

Oxford Mail:

Almost 1,800 students enrol in the school in any one year, including part-time students, with the headline courses being the MBA (master of business administration) and MFE (master of science in financial economics).

Companies also commission the school to offer bespoke courses for their workforces.

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It is internationally acclaimed and students come from all over the world to study, with each nationality represented in the common room with a flag on the wall.

The school was established in 1992 as Oxford University's School of Management Studies.

It was renamed and relocated in 1998, thanks to a £23m donation from billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Wafic Saïd.

It was designed by Dixon and Jones, architects of the Royal Opera House conversion in London.

The crowning glory of the building is the copper-clad stepped tower, called a ziggurat.

About 400 staff members and 80 faculty members work for the school across its sites, which include Egrove Park in Kennington and the main building in Park End Street, next to the train station.

Oxford Mail:

The school's Thatcher Business Education Centre was opened on that site by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in 2013.

Mr Boyt said the school has started a sustainability drive, removing single-use plastic from dining areas and replacing water coolers with taps.

Its focus on sustainability has earned it two green awards from the National Union of Students.

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Open Doors is now in its 12th year, welcoming Oxford residents and tourists to see more of the city.

While many historical venues take part, modern buildings including the Blavatnik School of Government in Jericho also prove to be popular attractions.

No pre-booking is required for the business school tours.

For more details about the venues or to help as a volunteer, visit oxfordpreservation.org.uk.