A special school in Bicester is celebrating after receiving a grant to buy new benches - which will help improve pupils' communication and interaction at playtime.

Bardwell School, in Hendon Place, has been awarded £1,300 by the Gannett Foundation, a trust run by the Oxford Mail's parent company.

Headteacher Chris Hughes, who applied for the money in October, was thrilled, and the 54 pupils, aged between two and 16, were excited about getting new benches.

The money will buy three picnic benches - each of which has a different games top, like snakes and ladders or a road atlas - as well as two slatted benches, made from recyclable materials.

Ms Hughes, who has been headteacher at the school for 19 years, said two benches had been stolen last year.

The school decided not to replace them at the time, in case the thieves struck again, but the new benches would be fastened to the ground.

She added: "During lunch duty, it's obvious there is nowhere for those pupils who do not want to run around at playtime, to sit.

"One of the school's biggest priorities is communication and interaction and we need somewhere quiet for pupils to sit.

"The playground needs to be accessible and a nice environment in which to spend their leisure time."

Ms Hughes added: "Some of the benches are made from recyclable materials, which shows we're doing our bit to help the environment.

"The pupils are so excited, they just want to get their benches now and start making good use of them.

"Everyone at the school is over the moon to have received this money. We hope that the benches will be installed very soon."

The Gannett Foundation gives about £250,000 to charities every six months.