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
- 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 Primary School for Didcot
A new primary school for Didcot is planned in the Valley Park development to meet the needs of recent and planned housing growth. The academy sponsor selection process for this proposed new primary school will run from 9 September to 25 October 2024 with the school expected to open in September 2026, depending on the progress of local housing development.
Academy sponsors interested in running this new school should submit an application form (docx format, 60 KB) to the county council by 25 October 2024.
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. Details about how to bid to run these schools will be published on this website shortly.
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.
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 is anticipated to open in September 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.