FOUR Oxfordshire schools are performing outstandingly well at A-Level, putting themselves among the very top nationally.

It represents a fantastic achievement for the students, and a real boost for the county’s education system that has come in for some deserved criticism in the last 18 months.

Now these shining lights of excellence must be used to improve schools’ performance across the board.

The Government’s academy policy is going to be the biggest change to our education system in a generation.

And it is far too early to tell if it will drive up standards.

But the recent subject-specific A-Level league tables reveal the potential we should be exploiting.

If the new system, including federations linking academies together, fosters this talent and expertise then we will see more schools improving standards and results.

But Wyll Willis at Wallingford School, which has excelled at English literature, points out it’s all about context. Top grades are good, but what really counts is improving the attainment levels of all children.