THIS year was another jam-packed one for Oxfordshire’s schools and colleges. We take a look at the main events over the past 12 months.
JANUARY
The year began with criticism of former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson’s announcement that secondary schools would remain closed for an extra two weeks due to Covid-19 cases. The national lockdown was then announced on January 5, seeing schools and colleges close anyway.
FEBRUARY
Work started on a £1.5 million project to refurbish Bardwell School in Bicester, providing 16 extra places for special needs pupils.
MARCH
A six-week pilot scheme which saw roads closed during drop-off and pick-up times outside schools launched. Schools Streets began at Windmill Primary in Headington and St Christopher’s CE Primary in Cowley.
APRIL
Parents worried about the safety of their children after a boy was hit by a car while he was crossing Cumnor Hill, and demanded traffic calming measures be introduced in the area.
MAY
Warnings of class downsizing and even school closures were made after the Oxford Mail found nearly 2,000 primary school places were vacant across Oxfordshire. An FOI submitted to Oxfordshire County Council revealed dozens of schools still had spaces for entire classrooms.
JUNE
Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith objected to a school’s plans to install a hockey pitch and playing field. Dozens of objections were made, mainly relating to 15m high floodlights for the hockey field at Kitebrook Preparatory School.
JULY
International Baccalaureate (IB) students collected their results with exams again not taking place. Instead, IB results were based on teacher predictions and externally marked coursework.
AUGUST
A-level and GCSE results were given out within the space of two days. Headteachers praised students for their response to the pandemic. GCSE grades were determined by teachers, with candidates only assessed on what they were taught during the pandemic.
SEPTEMBER
An ‘inadequate’ school’s new headteacher started her role and invited parents to take a fresh look at the school. Lyndsey Caldwell was appointed as head at St Gregory the Great Catholic School at Easter with the new academic year signalling the beginning of her role. St Gregory’s was first rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted and placed in special measures in 2017.
OCTOBER
It was announced three schools would become part of River Learning Trust (RLT) in 2022. Cheney School in Headington, along with Barton Park and Bayards Hill primary schools, will join RLT in February. The three schools previously made up the Community Schools Alliance Trust (CSAT).
NOVEMBER
A campus specialising in creative media courses announced it will close next year. SAE Oxford, the Littlemore college which specialises in arts, music and technology, will not extend its lease, which expires in September.
DECEMBER
A school told it ‘requires improvement’ on two Ofsted inspections unveiled its new headteacher. Charley Eaglestone said he believes he is the person to make Bayards Hill Primary School a ‘good’ one. Bayards Hill became an academy in 2014, but since then has twice been marked ‘requires improvement’ by the education watchdog.
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