STAFF and pupils at Endeavour Academy celebrated its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Headington School.

Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth joined MacIntyre Academies chief executive Brenda Mullen and chairman Neil Macmillan to mark te occasion.

The special school in Waynflete Road opened its doors two years ago but work has only recently been completed on its outdoor play areas.

The 25-child school caters for youngsters between eight and 19 who have autism and severe learning difficulties.

It opened on the site of the old Ormerod School in September 2014 and work has been carried out since then to bring it up to the standards expected by the trust.

Ms Mullen said the school gave more young people in the county who have autism the chance to be educated near their families rather than moving to schools in other parts of the country.

It teaches the national curriculum but aims to tailor it to suit students' individual needs.