Carrdus School was an independent co-educational preparatory school near Banbury, owned by Tudor Hall School, which officially closed in July 2025 after a decision taken in December 2024.

In November 2024, governors blamed the government’s decision to introduce VAT on fees and increased employers’ National Insurance contributions.

The site will reopen as Olive Frances School, named after a former Oxfordshire Labour politician, mayor and anti-nuclear weapons campaigner.

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It forms part of the Polaris Community, one of the UK’s leading children’s services providers, and is due to open in September.

The school will provide specialist education for children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and those with a neurodiverse profile from across Oxfordshire.

It will serve up to 84 pupils and their families where mainstream provision may not meet their needs, and class sizes will be capped at eight pupils to ensure a nurturing and supportive environment.

Facilities will include a teaching kitchen, science lab, art suite, forest school and sports areas, alongside sensory breakout spaces and extensive grounds.

Loren Cahill, head of organic growth at Polaris, said the aim is to create a “safe and nurturing learning environment for children with additional needs”.

A new headteacher has been appointed and is due to start in September.

Emergency services were called to Radley station on the evening of Monday, June 30 to reports of the man on the railway line.

Great Western Railway said he had been struck by a passing train, and that the line was closed between around 7.30pm and 10.30pm.

READ MORE: Person hit by train forcing railway line to close for hours

Investigation work was carried out while the man was rushed to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: “Officers were called at around 7.30pm on Thursday, 29 June to reports of a casualty on the tracks at Radley railway station.

“A person was found and taken to hospital, where he remains in a stable condition. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.”

Witnesses reported hearing and seeing multiple sirens and blue lights in the village shortly after the incident.

Great Western Rail said on Monday night that train cancellations were expected until 10.30pm while emergency services dealt with the incident between Didcot Parkway and Oxford.

“A person has been struck by a train, leading to all lines being blocked,” a spokesman said last night.

“It is necessary to bring all trains in the affected area to an immediate stop.

“If you are onboard one of the services in this incident and have been affected by this incident or know someone else who needs support, there is always someone to talk to.

“Contact a Samaritan on 116 123 for free, any time, on any phone. Help is only a phone call away.”