Schools across Oxfordshire have been embracing the season of good will, with many collecting for charities and food banks in the run-up to Christmas.

At Stanton Harcourt Primary School near Witney, a reverse advent calendar collected donations for Witney Food Bank.

Every day, children put an item into the box before delivering it to those in need.

Headteacher Rachel Crouch said goodies included Christmas items as well as shampoo, toothpaste and shower gel.

At Cutteslowe Primary School in Oxford, members of the school council were also busy encouraging friends and family to donate spare tins, packets and unused toiletries.

The children, aged seven-11, donated their collection to the Community Emergency Foodbank in the run-up to Christmas.

Headteacher Jon Gray said he and the pupils felt it was important to give something back to people less fortunate at this time of the year.

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Staff from Saïd Business School also got into the spirit of giving, and asked Homeless Oxfordshire’s residents what they would like to receive on Christmas Day, and what would help to build their self-esteem and independence.

A wish-list of more than 200 gifts, including jumpers, chocolates, books and dog coats were created, and the school community invited supporters to donate to its collection.

They then wrapped more than 100 gifts and delivered them.

Hannah Longford, digital communities officer at the school, said: "We simply wanted to bring a smile to someone on Christmas day.

"I will think of the person opening my gift on Christmas Day!"

Of course, there have also been nativity performances and decorations aplenty.

Pupils at LVS Oxford, a special school in Begbroke, held a Christingle service at nearby St Michael’s Church.

Afterwards, families joined them for a pupil-led Christmas market, selling items they had made in cooking, art and enterprise lessons.

The market allowed them to practise handling money and social situations including eye contact.