LONG journeys to Oxford could be a thing of the past for young people in Banbury and Bicester with special educational needs after plans for a new school were announced.

The Iffley Academy in Oxford is set to submit a bid to open a new free school in North Oxfordshire.

The academy, which is the largest special school in the city, wants to cater for many youngsters who live outside of the city.

Headteacher Kay Willett said many pupils at The Iffley Academy currently travelled there from Banbury and Bicester.

She said: "By opening a school in North Oxfordshire we can educate these pupils in their local communities.

"The growth of housing development and the population in Banbury and Bicester is increasing, which is putting further pressure on special school places.

"A new school offering places for pupils with cognition and learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health difficulties and autistic spectrum condition will compliment and extend the excellent special education needs already provided by the state funded special schools in the area."

The Iffley Academy, formerly known as The Isis Academy until the rise of the so-called Islamic State caused it to change its name, has about 130 pupils and caters for children from 10 to 18.

The proposed new school would offer day provision for young people from seven to 18.

Cherwell district councillor Mark Cherry, who represents Banbury Ruscote, said there had been a lot of interest in the proposed new school.

He said: "I know that there is a real need for extra special schools that deal with children with special educational needs because mainstream schools cannot cope.

"I would welcome this, anything that helps young people in Banbury is a good thing because otherwise parents to have to travel to Oxford.

"It is a very long distance to travel.

"It will have to go through a process but if it goes through then I am all for it."

Free schools are state funded but are not under the control of local authorities.

They can be set up by groups of parents, charities, churches or, as in this case, by existing schools.

All new schools in England must be either free schools or academies.

Mr Cherry said despite the Labour Party opposing free schools he was behind the plan.

He said: "I am afraid that is just the way it has to be.

"It is the way it is going.

"Anything that helps kids with special needs is a good thing."

A public meeting was held in Bloxham earlier this month when people were able to give their views on the proposed school.

No site has yet been identified and the school would be unlikely to open until September 2018 at the earliest.