GWR, with headquarters in Swindon, runs services linking London to the south-west of England and South Wales. It is expected to return to public ownership on December 13.

A spokesperson for the operator said they would continue to work closely with the Department for Transport (DfT).

GWR operates and manages Oxford’s railway station, where Network Rail is staging a multi-million pound revamp and is planning a new western entrance.

READ MORE: First look inside historic town pub following revamp

Great Western Railway spokesman John Carter said: “We welcome the clarity provided by Friday’s announcement and will continue to work closely with the Department for Transport as we move into public ownership.

 “Throughout this process, our priority will be maintaining a punctual, reliable service for customers while continuing to support regional growth and connectivity across our network.”

Dave Richardson of Railfuture (Image: Contributed)

Dave Richardson, a spokesman for campaign group Railfuture, said: “We welcome any reform of how our railways are run that would lead to simpler and better value fares, which is part of the Great British Railways initiative.

“Bringing together GWR and the part of Network Rail responsible for its routes would also be welcome if it would deliver a more reliable railway.”

READ MORE: UK private schools make major merger announcement

The DfT described the move as a “significant moment”, adding it would place passengers, rather than shareholders, “at the heart of our railways”.

GWR’s services, which run from Taunton, Bristol, Gloucester and other major stations across the West and South Wales, will come under the control of the government’s new Great British Railways organisation.

GWR has been running trains across the south west of England for 20 years. The line it uses was built between Bristol and London by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened in 1841.

Several rail operators are already publicly owned, including Greater Anglia and South Western Railway.

Rail services in Wales were nationalised in 2021 and Scotland took trains into public ownership the following year.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander warned last year that renationalising train services would not necessarily result in lower fares.

The focus will instead be on improving services and infrastructure.

The private boys’ school, one of the top performing schools in the country, has joined forces with Abingdon Prep School and The Manor Prep, to form the Abingdon Schools Group at the start of the new academic year.

Abingdon Prep School is in Frilford near Abingdon, while The Manor Prep is in Faringdon Road, close to St Helen and St Katharine school for girls, another top performing independent school.

READ MORE: Abingdon School announces it will now admit girls

The announcement follows Abingdon School’s decision to become co-educational, admitting girls to the first year (Year 7) and Sixth Form (Year 12) from September 2026.

Abingdon School (Image: Contributed)

The schools involved in the merger said they will now be better placed to invest in educational excellence, boost opportunities for pupils and staff and “build resilience” in an evolving educational landscape.

Each school in the Abingdon Schools Group will retain its own identity, culture and community.

From left to right: Nicky Black, Head Abingdon Prep School; Rachel Hamlyn, Head The Manor Prep; and Mike Windsor, Head, Abingdon) (Image: Abingdon School)

Families, pupils and staff can continue to expect the same distinctive educational experience and sense of belonging that defines each school, while benefiting from the advantages of closer collaboration and shared expertise.

Peter Dickson, Chair of Governors at The Manor Prep, said: “This partnership marks a significant and exciting milestone that celebrates and protects the unique heritage of each of our schools, while our shared commitment to educational excellence will unlock even greater opportunities for our pupils.”

Pupils at The Manor Prep (Image: The Manor Prep)

James Sporle, Chair of Governors at Abingdon School, added: “The formation of the Abingdon Schools Group is a commitment to the future. By joining together from a position of strength, we are creating a robust and sustainable group united by excellence that offers our families long-term stability and breadth of choice.”

In May last year, Radley College and Prep Schools Trust, which includes Cothill House and Chandlings Prep School, announced they were merging.

Chandlings and Cothill, which educate boys and girls from two to 13, are located close to Radley College – one of three remaining full boarding schools for boys aged 13-18. 

Prep Schools Trust is a family of seven junior schools across the country, including Kitebrook in the Cotswolds on the Oxfordshire border which educates 330 pupils.