Bicester is one of the fastest growing towns in Oxfordshire – but our special educational needs provision has not grown with us.

Right now, Bardwell School is our *only* dedicated special school for children with severe and profound learning needs across Bicester, Kidlington and surrounding villages. It is already at full capacity with long waiting lists. Too many local children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are being sent to schools 15–25 miles away, travelling over an hour each way every single day. This damages their health, their learning, and their wellbeing, and puts huge stress on families who face extra travel costs, missed work, and separation from their local community.

Thousands of new homes and families are planned for Bicester in the coming years – yet there are no proposals for a second dedicated special school here. Oxfordshire County Council has a legal duty under the *Children and Families Act 2014* to ensure there are enough suitable specialist places for every child who needs them. That duty is not being met today.

We, the undersigned, call on:

✅ Oxfordshire County Council – to carry out an urgent review of SEND place shortages and commission a full feasibility study for a **second dedicated special needs school in Bicester**

✅ Our local Councillors and MP Charlie Maynard – to publicly back this campaign, lobby for capital and high needs funding, and help identify suitable land for the new school

✅ Bicester Town Council – to prioritise this need and raise it at every opportunity

Every child deserves the right to learn close to home, near their family, friends and support network. Bicester Deserves 2 – sign our petition and help make this happen.