MP calls for apology to parents as he pushes to resolve school places fiasco
10/03/2026
Sean Woodcock wants details of how further such incidents in Banbury will be prevented in the future
Banbury’s MP has intervened after a number of parents in the Banbury area were told their children were being allocated secondary school places in Bicester from September.
Sean Woodcock says the situation “adds to the suspicion … that those running County Hall simply don’t get Banbury or its issues” and has called for those in charge to apologise.
Last week we spoke to a number of parents who were affected by the decision, all of whom had been told they would have to organise transport themselves as none was being provided.
They expressed feelings of both concern for their child’s safety getting to Bicester and distressed that, despite following the council’s prescribed procedures and detailing four preferred schools in our area, their children were given places at The Cooper School in Bicester.
Its understood Mr Woodcock has now spoken with Councillor Sean Gaul, who is responsible for Education at Oxfordshire County Council, raising the issue and seeking assurances as to how the council plans to increase secondary school capacity in Banbury.
Mr Woodcock specifically raised the issue of students with SEND who may find long journeys and using public transport difficult.
He said: “I am glad that Oxfordshire County Council has acknowledged the issue and is looking at ways to provide extra schools places in Banbury.
“However it should never have got to this stage with the additional stress placed on parents and children that this incident has undoubtedly caused.
“I am afraid that this adds to the suspicion, already well established, that those running County Hall simply don’t get Banbury or its issues. This is especially relevant at a time when they are pushing an Oxfordshire County Council vision to have further powers through Local Government Reorganisation.
“I call on the County Council to apologise to all concerned and provide a full and detailed account of how it will prevent further such incidents in Banbury in future.”
Mr Woodcock said he will continue to work with the council and local schools to push for families in Banbury to be able to access appropriate school places closer to home. He also plans to meet with the Council to discuss increasing school places for local families.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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