New schools for Oxfordshire
Information about proposals for new schools in Oxfordshire.
The 2011 Education Act mandates all new schools to be academies and run by independent multi-academy trusts.
This includes;
- free schools
- university technical colleges (UTCs)
- studio schools
Various organisations, including religious groups or charities can set up trusts. Existing academies can apply to run new schools.
The county council is responsible for;
- planning and securing sufficient school places
- deciding who will run the schools
Interested in opening a new school
Organisations interested in opening a new school in Oxfordshire can contact our School Organisation and Planning team for information and advice.
Bidding process
The government has provided guidance on the bidding and selection process. It will choose which organisation(s) will run the new schools. In Oxfordshire, the process for new schools is:
- undertake a public consultation to identify the academy model to be implemented
- invite bids from providers interested in running the academy, to show clear plans of how they will contribute to the raising of education standards – for reference, here is an application form (docx format, 60 KB)
- assess bids against criteria and rank in order of preference
- submit preferred sponsor choice to DfE Regional Director for decision
- the proposal is developed with a provider approved by the DfE Regional Director
The Secretary of State will only consider entering a funding agreement with an approved sponsor. (The DfE's approved sponsor list can be accessed from the education.gov.uk)
Potential proposers who are not already known to the DfE are advised to make contact as soon as possible.
New schools
New Special Schools for Didcot
Two new special schools are planned for the Didcot area, one specialising in meeting SEMH/ASD needs and the other specialising in other types of special need. The schools are currently expected to open 2027-2028.
The education specifications for the SEMH/ASD school were approved by the Cabinet Member responsible for Education in summer 2024, and those for the PMLD school were approved in March 2026.
Applications will be invited from academy sponsors interested in running these new schools in May 2026.
New Primary School for Didcot – Valley Park Academy
A new primary school for Didcot is planned in the Valley Park development to meet the needs of recent and planned housing growth. The school is expected to open in September 2027 and will be run by Omnia Learning Trust, which was confirmed as the sponsor in 2025.
The school will be led by Executive Principal Alison Ashcroft, currently Executive Principal of sister schools Didcot Primary Academy and Sires Hill Primary Academy. Alison will become Executive Principal of both Valley Park and Didcot Primary Academies by September 2027.
A consultation is underway on the admission arrangements for Valley Park Academy. The consultation period ends on 8 May 2026.
The full draft admissions policy is available, and a link to the feedback form can be found on the Valley Park Academy website here: Valley Park Academy - Consultations
In line with the requirements of the Admissions Code 2021, this consultation seeks to engage with future parents and carers of the school, potential staff, other local admissions authorities, and other interested parties.
The consultation will run from the 16 March 2026 to 8 May 2026, all responses must be received by 3pm 8 May 2026.
If you have any comments on the proposed policy, please complete the online form or write to: The Board of Trustees, Omnia Learning Trust, 57 Colne Road, Twickenham, TW2 6QF.
If you would like a hard copy of the proposed admissions arrangements, please email admin@omnialearningtrust.org”
New SEMH/ASD special school for Faringdon
The Gallery Trust is opening a new special school in the south, in Faringdon, due to open in 2026/27.
This will be called the Artemis Academy.
New school for Grove
The Vale Academy Trust has opened an all-through (primary and secondary) school on Grove Airfield, St Johns C of E Academy. The primary phase opened in 2023 and the secondary phase opened in 2025.
Other new schools
Further new schools are planned to meet the needs of Oxfordshire’s growing population. Details of those schools will be published on this website when there is a firm timescale for opening. Information about expected future new schools can be found in the Pupil Place Plan on our Planning enough school places page.