An Oxford secondary school headteacher said he was looking to the future with optimism after completing the first "normal year" for several years.

Alan Lane, head of Cheney School in Headington, said the school had come through challenging times after almost doubling in size as part of the city schools' reorganisation.

There has been a major rebuilding programme and the last of the school's 14 temporary buildings were demolished this year.

It has also completed a successful bid to achieve specialist language status, requiring a major fundraising effort.

Summing up the year, Mr Lane said: "The school had new records to celebrate at A-Level and Key Stage Three.

"During the year, classes started in Spanish, Russian and Japanese.

"There were notable sporting successes, with rugby and rowing joining the list of major sports.

"Cheney students achieved a wide range of distinctions, including being finalists in the national debating championships, one having a book published and another winning a beauty championship title.

"It is clear that Cheney is indeed a truly comprehensive school with a strong international dimension.

"Now that it has, at last, some of the most superb school accommodation in the county, it can only go from strength to strength."

During an annual presentation evening, Oxfordshire County Council chairman Shereen Karmali praised the school for retaining its values and being a "true comprehensive school".