CHIEF education officer Graham Badman believes the change signals a move towards better levels of achievement in schools. He said: "I do not deny the good work of the middle schools or their attainment achievement. "But the rate of progress is insufficient
TWO hundred teachers are now looking for new jobs, it was claimed today, following the county council's decision to switch to a two-tier system in Oxford. And immediate talks are to take place between education chiefs and unions over the jobs issues.
THIS is the right time for change to our schools - that was the view that echoed around County Hall as one of the most important decisions on Oxford's education was chalked up. The city now looks set to have a two-tier system of primary and secondary
A major new shopping and housing development is set to transform the face of an historic town centre. For years, the approach to Wallingford's picturesque Market Place has been blighted by an unpopular 1960s concrete block. But later this month the former
Two people were killed in a horrific head-on smash on the busy A40 this morning. One car was burnt out, a motorbike crushed and a third vehicle damaged in the crash, which led to police sealing off the road between Cassington and the Woodstock Road roundabout
Controversy is raging about genetically modified food and a special forum is meeting at Oxford Town Hall tonight to thrash out the issues, writes Phil Clee. A panel of eminent speakers is lined up for the one-off event, which forms one of the centrepieces
Oxford stands today on the brink of a new era in education, writes Mark Templeton. The full impact of yesterday's decision to scrap the city's middle school system and create a new structure of only primary and secondary schools was still sinking in among
GEORGE Frew attended Wednesday's big education debate. As the city prepares for the transition to two tiers, he asks: was it a triumph for democracy? TO witness democracy in action, it was only necessary to present yourself outside County Hall on Wednesday
FROM the set of horror movie Sleepy Hollow to a Japanese water garden or an Oxfordshire shopping centre - the handiwork of manufacturing company Desney Products, of Banbury, can pop up just about anywhere. Desney has carved itself a niche in a specialised
DISRUPTION to schools during the change-over process will be kept to an absolute minimum, it was promised. Oxfordshire County Council's Labour group leader Brian Hodgson said disruption was a major concern. Principal education officer Robert Capstick
HARRY Thompson, the manager of Headington United from 1949 to 1958, has died aged 84. Mr Thompson, who was credited by many for putting Oxford United on the football map, suffered a heart attack while shopping at a chemist in Cowley Road on Saturday.
Would-be model Lizzie McKean, who died in a car accident, was buried in a ballgown her older sister wore to the Oscars. Miss McKean, 20, of Burcot, near Abingdon, died last year after she stepped into the path of a car while leading her friend Sarah Mills
DENIS Smith is back in the driving seat at the Manor. The shock announcement today leaves Mickey Lewis in place as coach, but sees the ebullient Smithback as manager. Lewis's three-month reign culminated in a dreadful run, with the team languishing in
Keith Hellawell carries the weight of the world's troubles on his shoulders. Drugs, or the need to fund a drug habit, are the motivating force behind a large proportion of crimes committed in this country and Mr Hellawell, the drugs Czar, has been charged
