The Pied Piper followed new headmaster Francis Standish to Cumnor when he changed schools.

A production of a musical version of the famous story was the first show he had staged since arriving at the village primary school in 1980.

It was originally written for pupils at his old school at Stadhampton by one of the parents there, Robin Nelson.

The children at Cumnor were delighted to have a chance to perform.

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About 50 pupils took part, with two forms supplying all the rats in the cast.

The show was performed twice for parents and friends and more than £70 was raised for school funds.

The Pied Piper was also a first at Cumnor for teacher Margaret Ricketts.

Like Mr Standish, she had joined the school earlier that year and directed all the music in the show.

Mr Standish said: “I think the play has really become part of the school. You can hear the children singing the songs.

Even members of staff are going round humming the tunes.”

Oxford Mail photographer Athar Chaudhry visited the school and took the above picture at one of the performances.

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Cumnor Primary School has about 200 children aged 4-11yrs, split into seven single class year groups, from foundation through to Year 6.

Its catchment area includes the two villages of Cumnor and Farmoor and also some roads in the Cumnor Hill area.

It is a voluntary controlled Church of England school, which means that it has very close links with St Michael’s Church in the village and a Christian ethos underpins its values and much of its teaching.

The school says it is fortunate in having excellent outdoor spaces including two large playing fields and adventure areas.