Oxford News
Oxford specialist school celebrates strong GCSE results
LVS Oxford, a school for autistic young people, achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, with 80 per cent of grades at 9–4 – well above the national average of 67 per cent.
Executive principal Melanie Waller said: “We are incredibly proud of our students and everything they have achieved.
“GCSEs can be a significant challenge, and our young people have shown extraordinary resilience, determination and commitment.
“Seeing so many students achieve or exceed their predicted grades is a fantastic reflection of their hard work and the dedication of our staff.”
More than 40 per cent of students exceeded their predicted grades, with some achieving results two, three, or even four grades higher.
The school reported standout results in core subjects, with 87.5 per cent of students achieving grades 9–4 in English language (compared to the national average of 59.5 per cent) and 66.7 per cent achieving the same in maths (national average: 57.2 per cent).
Ms Waller said it was especially rewarding to see students succeed across a wide range of subjects beyond the traditional core curriculum.
She said: “It is particularly rewarding to see our students succeeding across such a diverse range of subjects.
“Whether through academic study, creative subjects, practical learning or their wider experiences, our young people continue to show us what they can achieve when their individual strengths are recognised and nurtured.”
The school’s curriculum goes beyond academics to include practical, vocational, employability, and life skills, preparing students for life after school.
This year, all students secured places in further education, college, or apprenticeships.
Ms Waller said: “Our 100 per cent transition success is something we are incredibly proud of.
“For our autistic students, these achievements are particularly significant.
“Our role is not simply to prepare students for examinations; it is to prepare them for life beyond LVS Oxford.
“Whether a young person progresses to college, secures an apprenticeship or takes another pathway into their future, we are incredibly proud of what they have achieved.
“Every student has their own individual strengths, challenges and aspirations, and it is our job to help them recognise their potential and give them the confidence and skills to take their next steps.”
The executive principal described the results as a testament to the resilience of students, the dedication of staff, and the support of families.
She said: “It is a testament to the resilience and determination of our students, the commitment of our staff and the support of our families and a powerful reflection of what autistic young people can achieve when they are given the right environment, opportunities and support to thrive.”
The collision happened on the southbound carriageway between Junction 6 for Lewknor and Junction 5 for Watlington in the late morning on Saturday, August 29.
The emergency services attended the scene and closed the road,
National Highways said lanes two and three of the three-lane motorway were shut as a result while crews dealt with the incident, leading to delays of around 40 minutes.
Congestion was worsened by separate lane closures between Junctions 4 and 5 in both directions following damage to the central reservation from an earlier incident.
Traffic built up on approaches to the crash, with nearby areas including Stokenchurch and Lewknor also affected.
Images from traffic cameras showed long queues of vehicles and emergency workers at the scene throughout the afternoon.
AA Travel also reported that one lane was closed on the northbound carriageway between Handy Cross and Stokenchurch due to emergency repairs.
National Highways later confirmed that all southbound lanes between Junctions 6 and 5 had reopened and that the lane closures linked to the earlier incident were also being removed.
Despite the reopening, delays of around 40 minutes remained on the approach as traffic slowly returned to normal.
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.
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