PUPILS across Oxfordshire will start to return to school this week for the new academic year.

Schools following Oxfordshire County Council's term dates are due to go back on Tuesday, while dates differ for some of the academies and for private schools.

One of the earliest schools to return is Cheney School in Headington, which will start welcoming pupils back tomorrow.

Oxford's new Swan School will open for the first time, with staff induction this week, before welcoming the very first cohort of pupils from Monday next week. 

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Some schools including Wheatley Park have scheduled inset (teacher training) days for the first one or two days of term, with pupils returning towards the end of the week.

Many secondary schools stagger the start of term, welcoming Year 7 starters and gradually introducing the older years, with some sixth forms not starting until the following week. 

Motorists can expect busier roads and more congestion as the school run returns.

Here is a list of some of Oxford's biggest schools and when they go back, according to term dates listed on their respective websites:

  • Oxford Spires Academy: Inset on Monday and Tuesday, selected years start to return on Wednesday, all students back by following Monday
  • St Gregory the Great Catholic School: Inset on Monday, Year 7 start on Tuesday, most other students back Wednesday, all year groups back by Thursday
  • The Oxford Academy: Inset days on Monday and Tuesday, two year groups return on Wednesday, all years back by Thursday
  • The Cherwell School: Monday and Tuesday inset days, all but Year 12 return on Wednesday, all students back by Monday 9
  • Cheney School: Inset days last week, students start tomorrow for Year 7 and 12 and other years return Tuesday
  • Wheatley Park School: Inset on Monday and Tuesday, four year groups return on Wednesday, all students back by Thursday
  • Matthew Arnold School: Monday and Tuesday are inset days, students return on Wednesday