A school is hoping to repeat its success in bringing former teachers back to the classroom.

A course held at Cooper School in Bicester last autumn to equip 19 teachers to return to primary and secondary schools proved so successful that the school wants to start another next September.

Head teacher Andrew Hamilton said: "We sent a letter through all pupils of primary schools in the town and surrounding villages appealing for former teachers to consider returning to education."

Out of 42 enquiries, a total of 19 former teachers signed up for the one-day-a-week sessions. Topics covered include recent changes in education and classroom techniques. The course is funded through the national Teacher Training Agency, which finances similar courses at universities and colleges.

Mr Hamilton added: "Originally we were going to cater for a dozen people but, because we had 19 people willing to commit themselves, we stretched our resources. We now want to bid again to the training agency to pay for another course. We feel we have sufficient expertise to continue."

One benefit of the course for local people was that it was Oxfordshire based and former teachers wanting to return to classrooms did not have to travel to retrain.

The 19 who trained were all expected to go into schools in Oxfordshire after completing the course.