Oxford News
West Oxfordshire learns GCSE results 2026 – check the list
Despite positivity among school leaders, the area was the second worst performing district in Oxfordshire with 24.7 per cent grades 7 or above, a fall from 25.1 per cent last year.
It was well below Oxford, where 32.5 per cent of grades were 7 or above, and significantly below Cambridge – the most successful district in England – which was on 53.5 per cent.
Even so, the headteacher of Henry Box School, Wendy Hemmingsley, said she was “incredibly proud” of her year 11 students.
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Maths results improved at every grade compared to last year at the Witney school, while the number of pupils achieving a strong pass in English and triple science saw a significant uplift.
Ms Hemmingsley added: “These results reflect not just their hard work and resilience, but the dedication of our whole school community – staff, families and students working together.
“Particular congratulations go to our mathematicians and scientists, who have excelled, and to every student who has pushed themselves to be the best they can be.
“We wish them every success as they move on to the next stage of their education.”
Fellow Witney school Wood Green saw a slight dip in its results year-on-year but Rob Shadbolt said the scores still represent “good progress”.
The same percentage of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at a grade 4 or above as in 2024.
However the 63 per cent of children who achieved that was eight percentage points lower than last year.
“There were lots of individual successes at all levels,” said Mr Shadbolt.
That includes James and Thomas Fleming who were “very happy” with the results, with the former securing four 9s and the latter five 9s.
Though both were pleased for the other there was some ‘joshing’ over their English literature result.
James said: “I was always better at English than Thomas but then he beat me”.
Mr Shadbolt added: “I am sure the Class of 2026 would join me in thanking all our staff and parents who have supported them along the way.
“We look forward to celebrating these successes at our heatwave-delayed Prom on 3rd September!”
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Over a quarter of all grades at Cokethorpe School near Witney were either 8 or 9, with 12 per cent achieving the top grade.
The private school called the results the strongest in recent years by every measure.
Dr Sarah Squire, headteacher, said: “Behind every set of grades is an individual story.
“I have been impressed to see the determination and resilience of pupils, including those who joined us from Our Lady’s Abingdon midway through their GCSE studies.
“I’ve been equally delighted to see our students juggle their wider commitments along the way, from a music tour in Belgium to an Arkwright Scholarship.
“Congratulations to all our Fifth Form pupils.”
Matthew Albrighton, headteacher at Burford, said he was “so pleased” for his students.
A quarter of grades at the school were 7 or above, with four in ten German results 7 or above, and 34 per cent of engineering grades at level 2 distinction or higher.
Among its standout students were Rosie and Layla who secured seven grade 9s.
Mr Albrighton added: “Their hard work and dedication have been rewarded, and each student is now well placed for the next step in their journey.
“I want to extend my sincere thanks to all the staff whose support and commitment over the last two years have made these results possible.”
Ethan Wilson at Carterton Community College achieved four grade 9s in biology, chemistry, physics and geography, one distinction in creative i-media, two grade 8s, and two grade 6s.
Meanwhile Pauline Maigate got one distinction, an 8-7 in combined science and four grade 7s, and Morgan Evans achieved one grade 8, a double 7 in combined science, four additional grade 7s and one grade 6.
Headteacher Matt Maudsley called the results a “clear upward trajectory” compare to 2025.
He said: “This year’s data demonstrates some encouraging progress, with the school establishing a clear upward trajectory across multiple key performance indicators compared to the previous academic year.”
This included a 4 per cent increase in the percentage of pupils achieving between grades 7 and 9.
Mr Maudsley added: “Congratulations to those students who committed time and dedication in attaining grades that will secure their future sixth form, college or apprenticeship choices.”
Over half of all grades awarded at The King’s School in Witney were between 7 and 9, while only 2 per cent were below a 4.
Every single pupil at the school achieved between a grade 4 and 9 in England and Maths.
Standout among the pupils was Jacob Evans who received 100 per cent grades 8 and 9.
Jacob said: “The structure of teaching helped me feel well prepared for exams.
“I’m really happy with the results and thankful for the support from my parents and teachers.”
READ MORE: Son of Oxfordshire teachers makes parents ‘proud’ with five 9s at GCSE
Giles Back, head of secondary, added: “We are thankful to God for these GCSE results and for the achievements of our pupils.
“We’re grateful to see that an education where faith and academics go hand in hand can deliver such strong results.
“Well done to all our Year 11s.”
On Wednesday, September 2, it was the Concours judging and private viewings to dominate the agenda for the day.
Twelve Concours classes were held across almost a century of motoring, including The Golden Age of Motoring, 100 Years of Carrrozzeria Touring, La Dolce Vita, 60 Years of the Lamborghini Miura and Passione Ferrari.
Two new classes also made their debut for 2026, Rare Breeds of the Digital Age and Hypercar Heaven, which recognise the growing importance of contemporary performance cars within the international collector market.
Judging will take place across Wednesday and Thursday, with the show field bringing together a 70-strong collection of classics, supercars and hypercars from around the world.
Some of the cars include Aa Maserati 8C 3000, Alfa Romeo Sprint Berlinetta, a one-off Maserati 3500GT Spyder Prototipo by Vignale, a very early Porsche 356 Split Window Coupé, Aston Martin DB3S, Lamborghini Miura P400S, Bizzarrini 5300GT, Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet, Bugatti EB110 Prototype, Aston Martin Valiant Prototype and the extraordinary Bugatti Bolide, one of just 40 produced worldwide.
Helen Pike has decided to step down as Master of Magdalen College School at the end of the 2026/27 academic year, the school in east Oxford announced in March.
MCS is one of the top performing schools in the country, ranking in the top 20 independent secondary schools in The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2026.
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The new academic year will start next week, with Ms Pike preparing for one more year in charge before she hands over to her successor, who will take over in September 2027.
The first female Master at MCS, Ms Pike guided the board of governors to one of the most significant decisions in the school’s history, to become fully co-educational from 2027.
While there has been a co-educational sixth form at the school for 15 years, the school last month announced it will become fully co-educational over the coming decade.
Ms Pike said earlier: “I love MCS, and it is a perennial privilege to lead this remarkable school.
“Being Master of MCS is a brilliant job, and I am declaring my intention early in order to give MCS the very best opportunity to find the right Master for September 2027. I shall continue to do all in my power to further the fortunes of this wonderful school until then.
“I look forward to a new phase in my own professional life, one that builds on all that I have enjoyed and achieved in my career during the past 30 years.
“Having encouraged many cohorts of pupils to take sensible risks and to do something creative and different when the time feels right, I am doing just that.”
During Ms Pike’s tenure, MCS has been recognised as a Top 20 Independent School and South East School of the Year by the Sunday Times and won Independent School of the Year for Social Mobility.
Thanking her in his letter to the school community, chair of governors, Bob Price, said earlier this year: “Helen is an outstanding leader and will go with our sincere gratitude and warm thanks for her exceptional headship.
“She will leave the school in excellent shape for her successor.”
Recruitment for a replacement for Ms Pike is now under way.
Last month, Ms Pike congratulated pupils on their “outstanding success” in this year’s A-Level exams, after more than a quarter of pupils (43) achieved three A*s or more and 25 secured all A*s.
In total, 39 pupils from the 2026 cohort are heading to Oxbridge, while 22 have secured places to study medicine.
As part of the school’s expansion plans, MCS is preparing to build a new Science, Library and Partnerships building.
A spokeswoman said the new building will offer an exciting opportunity to reimagine the senior school site as staff look ahead to full co-education.
She added earlier: “With a vision to create a sector-leading science building in the centre of Oxford, the development will enable us to support an ambitious and forward-looking science curriculum, expanding to the emerging and rapidly advancing areas of robotics, AI and Big Data.”
Holding banners which read ‘For f**k’s sake, just stop oil’, the demonstrators took to the road in Parliament Square at noon today (Wednesday, September 2).
This was as Andy Burnham faced his first Prime Minister’s Questions, and many of the protestors glued themselves to the road.
The group demanded that the UK government stop approving all further oil and gas developments, and sign a Fossil Fuel Treaty to stop oil and gas extraction.
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Just Stop Oil say that the police are expected to arrest all those blocking the road, and that one lane has been left free of glued-on action takers to permit access for emergency vehicles.
Andy Burnham is due to make a decision on whether to allow more drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea.
Reverend James Crote, a Baptist Minister and grandfather from Chesterton near Bicester, said: “Today is my grandson’s first birthday. I have to take action for the sake of his future.
The 69-year-old added: “The government has been dilly-dallying about whether to say yes or no to the Rosebank oil field but, if we want a future for our children, there is no choice – it has to say ‘no’.
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“I am here as a Christian Minister because the Church has to speak out and demand that the government stops approving further oil and gas developments now. It’s time for us all to say ‘For God’s sake, Just Stop Oil’.”
Data from the Met Office indicates that 2026 was the hottest summer in UK recorded history, beating 2025, which was the previous hottest summer on record.
2026 was also one of the driest summers on record, delivering record-low food harvests.
Climbing temperatures have triggered wildfires across the country, and national fire chiefs said the wildfire risk facing the UK is “like nothing we have seen before”.
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Taking action, grandmother Victoria Ann Lynch-Staunton from Leamington Spa, said: “What is happening is beyond a tragedy.”
The 71-year-old added: “I beg everyone to join Just Stop Oil or governments will continue to prioritise endless growth and corporate profit over billions of lives – yours and your children.
“Wake up and smell the coffin. It is the responsibility of all of us to act now!”
A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said today: “We are all Just Stop Oil.
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“Every single person who fears deadly wildfires, devastating droughts, and spiralling food shortages is Just Stop Oil.
“The first duty of government is to keep the public safe – but by greenlighting oil and gas drilling, they endanger our survival while corporates and billionaires laugh their way to the bank.
“Every one of us feels alone and powerless in the face of this insanity, but we know there is massive political and public support for our demand.
“So we’re inviting everyone to join us at an online call on 3rd October 2026 – because it’s when we work together that we are powerful and win.”
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