Our coverage of exam results this week makes tremendous reading — particularly that for GCSEs. It has long been recognised that exam results in Oxfordshire have been average when compared to national statistics and have lagged behind our peers.

This week we are reporting a six percentage point increase in the number of pupils achieving five or more A-C grades at GCSE in English and maths. That sounds like something of a step change.

Almost universally across the county, schools have reported record GCSE results. Among notable successes are John Mason, Abingdon, where the number achieving five or more A-C including maths and English was up by 17 per cent, Oxford Academy 14 per cent, St Birinus Didcot 12 per cent, Bicester Community College 11 per cent and Wheatley Park nine per cent.

It may be a while yet before we see how Oxfordshire’s performance matches up to the national average this year and how it compares with our peers. However, it is clear that a lot of hard work has been done by pupils and teachers and it would be no surprise to see the county moving up the national league table.