THE principal of Oxford Academy has praised pupils for achieving improved GCSE results while building work at the school continues.

The academy in Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, opened in September 2008, replacing Peers School. But pupils will not move into the new £33m building until next January.

This year 63 per cent of pupils taking the exams got five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C and 32 per cent five or more at grade A*-C including English and maths. Last year, 43 per cent got five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C and 18 per cent five or more at A*-C including English and maths.

Emily Melville, 16, from Blackbird Leys, got 13 GCSEs – eight A grades, two A* grades and three B grades and will now take A-Levels at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College.

She said: “The atmosphere in the school improved once it was an academy and it has generally been a good working environment.”

Leyton Paget, 16, from Blackbird Leys, who got nine A grades and four B grades, said: “Having lessons when there was building work wasn’t easy, but the teaching was great.”

Principal Mike Reading said: “These are fantastic results when you consider we have been operating in temporary buildings. We have not only improved, we have blown away previous achievements.”