Expansion of Blackbird Leys’ Mabel Prichard Special School in Cuddesdon Way will be achieved by remodelling and refurbishing the recently vacated foundation stage accommodation at Orchard Meadow Primary School, on the same site.

The project will deliver three new classrooms, pupil toilets, a group room and ancillary accommodation.

Plans also include the creation of an improved entrance, office space, staff room and supporting accommodation.

It will also provide additional car parking and enhanced highway access to the school.

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A full business case is due to be submitted for approval by Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet in August 2026, with an estimated total capital budget exceeding £2m.

Councillor Sean Gaul (Image: Sean Gaul)

Mabel Prichard Special School is managed by the Gallery Trust, which will deliver this project using funding provided by the county council.

Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for children, education and young people’s services, said: “We’re determined to continue investing in services for Oxfordshire’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) children and this commitment is reflected in these exciting plans for Mabel Prichard Special School.

“This will be a partnership approach, working with families, the academy trust, and communities to make a difference to the way children and young people get the support they deserve to help them thrive.”

Pupils and staff at Grove Church of England Primary School are set to benefit from a £9.4 million investment in new buildings and improvements, too.

Grove CE Primary School is an academy managed by Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust, who are delivering this project using funding provided by the county council.

County councillor Dan Levy (Image: Newsquest)

A major building project will expand the school’s capacity from 210 to 315 primary pupil places, plus 39 new nursery places.

The budget for this project was approved in an outline business case in June 2025, with the full business case scheduled for consideration within a few months’ time.

The project will be managed by the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust, which is responsible for the school, working in partnership with the county council and David Wilson Homes, who is delivering a new housing development in the north of Grove.

Faringdon Community College will also get a new building with seven classrooms, a hall, kitchen, main reception area and staff accommodation.

The existing building will be remodelled to create accommodation for nursery and reception aged pupils.

David Wilson Homes will provide the council with additional land to facilitate this school expansion.

On the additional land will be a full-sized all-weather sports pitch, and a new main entrance into the school site with parking for staff and visitors.

Work on the new building is due to start in February 2027.

Cambrian Learning Trust is delivering the project using funding provided by the county council.

Oxford Spires Academy, a state secondary school in Glanville Road, East Oxford, was partially closed to some students this afternoon, Friday, July 3.

A notice on the Oxfordshire County Council unplanned school closure’s website said the school was closed for year nine and year ten pupils, with lessons moved online.

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It remained open throughout the day for years seven, eight and 12 and is currently planned to reopen as normal on Monday, July 6.

Oxford Spires Academy, part of the Anthem Schools Trust (Image: Oxford Spires Academy)

The secondary school is part of the Anthem Schools Trust, which runs 15 primary and secondary schools across the East Midlands, London and the Thames Valley.

The Trust confirmed the school was partially closed due to industrial action involving teachers and staff, taken against the trust over ‘redundancy, restructuring and unagreed management practices’.

George Buchanan, head of economics and business at Cheney School, said in a post on Facebook that some of the Oxford Spires Academy joined a picket line strike this morning.

He said: “Teachers and support staff comrades at Oxford Spires Academy [were] on the picket line this morning.

READ MORE: Strike action forced Oxford school into partial closure

“This is the first strike day against redundancy, restructure and unagreed practices of Anthem Schools Trust. Victory to the National Education Union.”

A spokesperson from Anthem Schools Trust, made on behalf of Oxford Spires, said: “We were very disappointed that members of the National Education Union took part in industrial action at Oxford Spires Academy on Friday, July 3.

“However, the academy remained partially open as we worked to minimise disruption for students and their families.”

They added: “We remain committed to constructive and collaborative working with the National Education Union and other trade unions.”

Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament urging that Kane be made Sir Harry Kane.

The striker became England’s all‑time leading World Cup scorer when he headed his 11th tournament goal against Panama on Saturday, June 27, breaking Gary Lineker’s long‑standing record of 10 goals set in 1990.

Layla Moran (Image: Contributed)

He then scored two late, match‑saving goals against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, July 1, rescuing England’s campaign and sending them into the Round of 16 to face Mexico on Monday, July 6.

Ms Moran says Kane has shown “inspirational leadership on and off the pitch” and deserves formal recognition. So far, she is the only MP to have signed the motion.