A SCHOOL has announced that it will be closed today for some pupils due to staff shortages.

Yesterday evening, The Oxford Academy announced that the school would be closed for pupils in years 7, 8, and 9 ‘due to large numbers of teaching and support staff’ being ‘absent’ from school.

Writing on its Facebook page, headteacher Nora Ward, explained that the school had done everything they could to find cover letters over the past week, but the school is ‘at a point now where absence levels are beyond’ the school's capacity.

The headteacher said the school, located on Sandy Lane in Littlemore, will reopen for all year groups ‘at the earliest opportunity’, however, added that this is not likely to be before December 1st.

Mrs Ward said the decision to reopen ‘is contingent on the staff illness levels’.

She added: “I will work with our staff in school, the local authority, and the River Learning Trust to keep the absence levels under regular review and will update you by the end of this week. 

“Tomorrow, all work will be set on Google Classroom. 

 “I will write to you again tomorrow to update you with the plans for remote teaching for the remainder of the week.

"Children who are in receipt of free school dinners will be issued with a voucher - more information to follow tomorrow.”

Any parents or pupils who have any questions or concerns are urged to get in contact with the school. 

The headteacher thanked pupils and parents for their ‘support and understanding’ and said she hopes there will be no further closures.