Oxford Diocesan Guild of Bellringers
and
Oxon Ringing School
working with
What we do
Oxon Ringing School provides extra teaching sessions for those learning to ring church bells in and around our Branches. We offer one-to-one and group teaching of Bell Handling and Foundation Skills from our four centres: Abingdon, Dorchester, Kirtlington and Witney.
Our aim is to help the learners to learn to handle a bell more quickly so that they are able to take a more active part in ringing in their own towers earlier. We normally run two sorts of training sessions:
- Bell Handling Ringing School: Weekly one-hour sessions to teach Bell Handling with up to four learners taught to handle a bell on a one-to-one basis on Saturday mornings
- Foundation Skills Ringing School to consolidate the bell handling and to learn the foundation skills needed before starting to ring plain hunt.
Syllabus: ART Learning the Ropes
We follow the syllabus of the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART). Each learner buys a copy of the Ringers Personal Progress Logbook (£3) which will be completed by their teachers as they progress through the Learning the Ropes scheme. They may also purchase the Ringers Guide to Learning the Ropes, a step-by-step guide for ringers from bell handling through to ringing Plain Bob Minor inside (£7).
Course fees
Our training is organised using the Spond website. We make a charge of £6 after each one-hour Bell Handling session or £4 for a Foundation Skills session. Most of this is paid to the bell fund of the church where the training takes place.
Ringing Teachers
Our Bell Handling and Foundation Skills sessions are led, supervised and taught by volunteer ART accredited teachers, with the assistance of other unpaid experienced ringers and ART teachers.
How do I enrol for extra lessons in bell ringing?
Please access the registration forms available on the ODG website: https://odg.org.uk/info/oxfordshire-ringing-school/
Oxon Ringing School
Oxon Ringing School is an Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) Hub working within the area of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers (ODG). It is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers.
Oxon Ringing School is listed on the ART website: https://bellringing.org/about-teaching/art-hubs/hubs-listing/
Testimonials from our students
| “Excellent“ (X2) |
| “Really value the patience and time given by excellent Teachers. Each teacher has different strengths and ways of explaining things to help.” |
| “Really enjoy and appreciate the sessions. “ |
| “It’s really good for both learners and teachers who are gaining experience.” |
| “Brilliant!” |
| “Tutors are very patient every one is welcoming.” |
| “It’s brilliant!! Excellent teachers and the method and progression is logical and helpful.” |
| “Really helpful, friendly and experienced trainers, enjoyed meeting other trainees at a different venue, making positive progress as a result.” |
| “I’ve really enjoyed the 1to1 and interested in viewing various towers.” |
| “Runs smoothly” |
| “I am enjoying the one to one and interesting how different people teach, am picking up more than I thought”. |
ART Training Days
Experienced ringers are invited to attend one day teaching modules run by ART. The courses are suitable for those who already teach bell handling and want to update their skills AND for those who have never taught anyone to handle a bell. https://bellringing.org/about-teaching/
After the course, new teachers may gain experience and confidence by teaching under supervision at the Oxon Ringing School in preparation for assessment and possible accreditation by ART.
Forthcoming ART Courses
Click here for the ART Events page where you can register for a course.
News
Two more Standlake ringers graduate from the Oxon Ringing School!
Meet the Team
Susan Read, Abingdon Ringing Centre Lead, Old North Berks Branch. Susan started the first Ringing School at Abingdon in 2016 and also runs the Oxfordshire Young Ringers group. Susan is accredited in handling, Foundation and method teaching modules and has been a full ART member for over ten years.
Contact Susan
Nick Forman, Dorchester Ringing Centre Lead, South Oxfordshire Branch. Nick is accredited in ART Handling and Foundation teaching modules and has full ART membership.
Contact Nick
Steve Vickars, Kirtlington Ringing Centre Lead. Steve is Training Officer for Bicester Branch, is accredited in ART handling, Foundation and method teaching modules and has full ART membership.
Contact Steve
Andrew Goldthorpe, Witney Ringing Centre Lead. Andrew is Secretary of the Witney & Woodstock Branch, is on the ODG Committee as Web Master, is accredited in ART handling and Foundation teaching modules and has full ART membership.
Contact Andrew
Barbara Summers
Oxfordshire Ringing School Administrator. Barbara is Tower Captain at Tackley in the Witney & Woodstock branch.
Email: Oxon Ringing School Administrator
More about ART
The Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) runs courses for learners and teachers. See their website here.