The former music teacher of Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood has chosen to retire at the end of this term.

Michael Stinton, 63, will step down as director of music at Abingdon School this summer after nearly 36 years.

During his first year at the independent boys school in 1987, he taught GCSE music to a 16-year-old Greenwood, who is now a renowned guitarist and composer.

Mr Stinton said he had fond memories of his former pupil.

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He said: “Jonny was a charming student, a lovely guy - and a committed musician. I remember him hanging out in the music department whenever he could, strumming his guitar alongside his friend, Ben Kendrick, on sax.

“After A-levels, Jonny had plans to join his brother, Colin, and tour America - but his mother was frightened to death by the prospect of him not going to university.”

While at the school, Greenwood formed a band called On a Friday with his brother Colin and fellow pupils Thom Yorke, Ed O’Brien, and Philip Selway.

The group would go on to form the successful alternative rock band Radiohead, which has sold 30 million records to great acclaim over the last 30 years.

While now a lead guitarist, Greenwood originally played viola when he performed in the Thames Vale Youth Orchestra while still at school.

After he left, Mr Stinton took over as conductor and has seen all three of his children play in the orchestra over the last 31 years.

He is choosing to retire from this role as well, and his last concert will be on Wednesday March 22 at St Helen's Church in Abingdon.

Mr Stinton, who lives in Jericho with his wife Clova Stuart-Hamilton, said: “I have now reached retirement age from teaching and I want to do other things - and to be able to travel with my wife.

“Clova and I have lots of plans to travel - and that's why we want to be free from regular weekly commitments in term-time, at least for a bit.

“I want to return to playing my oboe and I hope to continue to conduct youth orchestras - but in blocks of time rather than on a weekly rehearsal schedule.

Mr Stinton hopes to spend more time with his wife at their home in France and supporting his children – one of whom is an opera director and another a French and Spanish teacher.

He said: “I'm not very good at sitting around and relaxing - I have a book to write and an allotment to tend - so I won't be short of things to keep me busy.”