A PRIVATE school has refreshed its pledge to benefit the wider community.

Magdalen College School in Oxford has published its second annual community engagement review, outlining its partnerships work last academic year with local communities.

The esteemed school is linked with 140 organisations, including schools, hospitals, care homes, hospices, businesses, museums, university colleges and charities.

More than 7,300 Oxfordshire children took part in its partnerships activities in 2018-19, experiencing events including a science summer school, university interview practice, a maths challenge event and a theatre performance.

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An MCS spokesperson said: "The school is committed to its significant and strong partnerships with the wider Oxfordshire community, and believes in fostering a sense of communal responsibility in pupils.

"In 2018-19 pupils contributed more than 7,500 volunteer hours to local organisations."

Helen Pike, master of the school, said: "It is a privilege to be educated at Magdalen College School, and one we are glad to share.

"There are many benefits of this - our local community gains access to activities, expertise and facilities.

"Our pupils learn how to plan, to mentor and to work independently.

"By helping and supporting others to grow and learn, they grow and learn themselves."

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Scott Crawford, deputy head of education development at the school, added: "The great strength of our community engagement programme is its flexibility.

"We continually seek collaborations across the city and region, and we welcome suggestions of new partnerships.

"This work underpins our fourth school aim to equip our pupils to make a positive and lasting contribution to their communities, both now and in the future."