Oxford News
Oxford Academy celebrates top grades and university offers
The Oxford Academy (TOA) achieved a 100 per cent pass rate across key A-level subjects and all vocational pathways.
Aicha achieved A*AAB and will study Neuroscience at King’s College, University of London, while Meriam, with AAA, will study biomedical sciences at the University of Birmingham.
Christabel, who also achieved A*AAB, will study law at the University of Sheffield.
Tony Brett, chair of governors, said: “It is wonderful to see such clear, continued progress across our sixth form, including vocational qualifications.
“It reflects our recent Ofsted judgement of ‘expected standard’ for sixth-form provision, which highlights that our curriculum is carefully tailored to students’ needs.
“The improvements are well deserved by our students, who have studied so hard for them, and are testament to the love, diligence and commitment that all our staff show our students day in, day out.”
The school’s sixth-form provision was praised in its June 2026 Ofsted report, which described the curriculum as ‘carefully tailored to students’ needs’ and noted that ‘sixth-form students are highly motivated and appreciative of the chances that the school offers them’.
Nora Ward, headteacher, said: “I feel so proud of every single one of our Year 13 students.
“The recent Ofsted report recognised the thoughtful and accessible pastoral care we provide, and these results reflect that dedication to supporting our students’ futures.
“Watching them step forwards to flourish in the next chapter of their lives, whether into university, apprenticeships, or new career paths, fills all of us at TOA with joy.
“I would like to particularly thank our parents and carers for working in partnership with the school to ensure our students have the very best chances and choices, and to thank our dedicated, talented staff.
“We are incredibly proud of all our students for their achievements, and wish them all the very best.”
A total of 63 students completed their studies this year.
The school recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in 11 A-level subjects, including business studies, English literature, maths, history, and ICT, as well as in all vocational courses.
Michael O’Hanlon, head of sixth form, said: “Today has been so joyful and positive, celebrating the successes of our students and finding out their amazing next steps.
“We wish them all the best for their futures and remind them that they will forever be part of Team TOA.”
The school plans to expand its technical and professional education programmes with new courses starting in 2027.
The closure affects the route between the A420 and Coxwell Road near Great Coxwell to allow for carriageway widening and the construction of a new signal-controlled junction.
The closure, in effect 24 hours a day, will begin on September 7, 2026, and is expected to remain in place until April 16, 2027.
An alternative route will be signposted via the A420, London Street, Coxwell Street, and Coxwell Road.
The order, issued by Oxfordshire County Council under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, will remain in force for up to 18 months if necessary.
Exemptions are included for emergency vehicles, and signage will be in place to advise drivers of the closure.
The coffee dispenser at the Headington Waitrose is out of order and not for the first time according to reports, leaving customers disappointed they can no longer access their free cappuccino or flat white using their Waitrose card.
The Headington News said: “The Headington Waitrose free coffee machine is out of order again today (Saturday 29 August).”
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The notice on the machine at the store in Old High Street says: “The coffee machine is currently out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
The issue is not a universal problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores are working well.
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Following outrage over the withdrawal of the offer during the pandemic, the company told the nine million members on its My Waitrose loyalty scheme they would again be entitled to a complementary americano, cappuccino, latte or tea once a day regardless of whether they bought anything – as long as they have their own reusable cup.
In a statement, Waitrose said at the time: “Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback.”
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There were queues at coffee stations and complaints from customers that the offer was attracting the “wrong type of shopper” when Waitrose introduced the perk in 2013.
In 2017, it cracked down on ‘freeloaders’ by forcing members to buy something before pouring themselves a free hot drink.
The scheme was scrapped during the Covid crisis, but reintroduced in November 2022 – again for customers making a purchases. This is no longer a requirement.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
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Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
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“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
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